When are you considered a Vetran?

2014-04-02T12:00:36-04:00

I went to the employment office with my wife. I was in uniform. One of the questions were "Are you a spouce of a Vetran"? I said check the yes block. The lady asked me are you still active and I told her yes, she told me that I wasnt a vetran. I said I am a multiple Combat vetran and she told me by government definition, she has to check no because I am not a "Vetran." Thoughts?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 12:28 PM

2014-04-02T12:28:10-04:00

Commonly in the civilian sector it is defined as having completed 1 enlistment. Once you reenlisted, that 'discharge' certificate is what proof you can provide to satisfy their strange misunderstanding.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 12:37 PM

2014-04-02T12:37:11-04:00

In General speaking and what I have seen here in the states she is correct. Yes you are a combat veteran I understand that. The term in which they are referring to is one who previously served with the military. Here are the merriam webster dictionary terms:

a: an old soldier of long service

b: a former member of the armed forces

: a person of long experience usually in some occupation or skill (as politics or the arts)

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 2 at 2014 12:40 PM

2014-04-02T12:40:32-04:00

If you are still in, you are a servicemember. Once you are out, you are a veteran.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Apr 2 at 2014 12:58 PM

2014-04-02T12:58:41-04:00

Commonly, many look at a Veteran is somebody who has served in the Armed Forces.

I personally considered anyone who has served and is currently serving as a veteran. Pretty much once you complete your Basic/AIT, you are then a veteran!

The legal technicalities, you have to research it!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 1:04 PM

2014-04-02T13:04:06-04:00

I googled "Define: Combat Vetran and this is what I got. ---A common misconception is that only those who have served in combat or those who have retired from active duty can be called military veterans.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Apr 2 at 2014 1:17 PM

2014-04-02T13:17:15-04:00

From the Virginia Employment Commission Website:

http://www.vec.virginia.gov/veterans/priority-of-service-for-veterans-and-eligible-spouses#two

"Priority of service means, with respect to any qualified Department of Labor employment and job-training programs, that Veterans 1 and Eligible Spouses 2 shall be given priority over non-Veterans for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services, notwithstanding any other provision of the law."

"1 Veteran: a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released there from under conditions other than dishonorable. Active service includes full-time duty in the National Guard or Reserve component, other than full-time duty for training purposes.

2 Eligible Spouse: the spouse of any of the following:

Any Veteran who died of a service connected disability;Any member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who, at the time of application for priority, is listed in one or more of the following categories and has been so listed for a total of more than 90 days:Missing in action;Captured in line of duty by a hostile force; orForcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power;Any Veteran who has a total disability resulting from a service-connected disability, as evaluated by the Department of Veterans Affairs;Any Veteran who died while a disability, as indicated above in section (3), was in existence."

So, it looks to me like your wife is not eligible for spousal preference under Virginia law. Strange but true. Even if you WERE discharged and had "Veteran" status under Virginia law, it wouldn't help your spouse.

Priority of Service for Veterans and Eligible Spouses | Virginia Employment Commission

Priority of service means, with respect to any qualified Department of Labor employment and job-training programs, that Veterans 1 and Eligible Spouses 2 shall be given priority over non-Veterans for ...

Priority of Service for Veterans and Eligible Spouses | Virginia Employment Commission

Response by Dave Robinson made Jul 16 at 2019 12:10 PM

2019-07-16T12:10:32-04:00

You are NEVER considered a vetran, because "vetran" is not a word. Look it up!

Response by Dave Robinson made Jul 16 at 2019 12:21 PM

2019-07-16T12:21:27-04:00

No one is considered a "vetran" because there is no such word as vetran. It is a made up two-syllable word used by people who are to damned lazy to use the correct three-syllable version of the word "veteran".