What makes someone a veteran?

[Skytrooper]

Originally Posted by id10t

A veteran is someone who wrote a blank check to the United States for any amount up to and including their life.

This is the correct answer IMO. If you served honorably until discharge, then you are a veteran. Basically what I have seen so far in this thread, are the different definitions between;
1. A veteran
2. A veteran who served during war (American Legion eligible)
3. A Combat or war veteran, who saw action (Veterans of Foreign War eligible)
4. A veteran who is eligible for VA benefits based upon their service.

All 4 are veterans. They served the U.S. and did and went where they were told to go. They did what they were told to do. Not all veterans are alike, but they are still veterans.

[widgeon13]

+1

[GH85Carrera]

And thank you to one and all.

From the Medal of Honor recipients to the ordinary private that only worked at the motor pool or the mess hall moping a floor and cleaning a toilet.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by crustychief

Personally, a Veteran is anyone who put on the uniform and either still serves or has received a Honorable discharge DD-214.

I may be biased, but I agree with Crustychief. I had this argument with a friend yesterday about whether I am a vet or not.

I served in the USAF for four years to the day during the Reagan cold war era. I spent most of that time at RAF Alconbury, UK supporting TR-1's (U2) and F5E fighters and NEVER saw one day of combat. I partied, defiled countless British damsels, and earned a college education on Uncle Sam, but still consider myself 100% a veteran.

When I joined I knew a conflict was possible. That didn't stop me. I spent 48 hours once a month in a gas mask and charcoal chemical warfare suit building drop tanks and scrubbing fighter planes. I never was in danger, but I served my country.

The U.S.A considers me a vet too...Because they refinanced my house under a new VA mortgage program.

[yazhound]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Just my opinion, but I think anyone who served they're full term while in active duty, whether they loaded bombs or worked in an office, they are still considered support, and should be honored as veterans.

This. And, the fact is that anyone who served put themselves into a profession where being sent to a war zone was possible. Especially in this day an age.

I am ex-Army infantry and served during Desert Storm in 3rd ID LRS. (but no combat just guard duty and checking for bombs).Of my brothers who stayed active many have seen multiple tours in the sand. Some are still going over in SF. They are humble and consider all who served honorably to be Vets. Yeah, we give those who are legs good natured ribbing, same with the gun bunnies etc... But at the end of the day were all in it together. Guy/girls at the front lines ( hmmm still a FLOT?) all need the folks at the rear to do their jobs well. Without well run logistics your screwed. Just ask Napoleon or the short german guy.

My father flew helicopters for two tours in Vietnam, with numerous Bronze Stars, Air Medals, and a DFC. He respects all who served and would never suggest someone is somehow a lesser Vet b/c saw no combat. In fact, he would never bring it up unless offered first.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by yazhound

My father flew helicopters for two tours in Vietnam, with numerous Bronze Stars, Air Medals, and a DFC. He respects all who served and would never suggest someone is somehow a lesser Vet b/c saw no combat. In fact, he would never bring it up unless offered first.

I flunked out of Navy Nuke school and spent most of my 2 years working a cushy 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off schedule as a police dispatcher at Naval Training Center - Orlando in the early 80s. The biggest problem we had was drunk recruits on their first liberty weekend. The biggest danger was the occasional distracted driver who accidentally drove through the gates and freaked out once they figured they were on a military base. Days off were spent in the gym and on the beach.

Just can't begin to call myself a veteran. Though I may qualify based on the technical definitions, to me, that term is reserved for folks who did the sorts of thing your dad did.

[widgeon13]

There was a good article dancing around this subject in 8/13 WSJ back by "Opinions".

[DonDavis]

It's been mentioned here a few times already, but the correct definition of what makes a person a Military Veteran is far less "sexy" or "honorable" that what many people think ( prior service members and civilians alike ).

180 days of continuous service and discharged honorably= Veteran and entitled to all that comes with being so.

I learned that definition about a year into my Navy service. At the time, I thought being a Veteran meant having seen combat.

Nope.

See that dirtbag sailor over there?... the one milking the system to get a medical retirement after 8 months in uniform? He went through boot camp then a few months of classroom training, then "developed" a nagging skin condition/back issue/knee prob/carpal tunnel or some other ailment that prevented him from continuing on. Yup, he's a veteran.

And see that Medal of Honor Recipient standing next to him? He's a veteran, too.

What I also learned is that the Honorable ones far, far outnumber the dirtbags.

Another thing I hear and see is the term "Retired" military. If a service member chooses to leave active duty after 14 years, they are not "retired", they left on their own volition.

The parameters for retirement can be very complex, though.

[widgeon13]

All very true but a lot has to do with the luck of the draw. In 1970 my original orders were for SE Asia (Vietnam) but I never ended up there. I can't explain the change in orders and no one told me why. As I said, the luck of the draw. I have a good friend who ended up a POW, lucky he came back upright. He was a history major and in the same timeframe was an advisor assigned to a Vietnamese infantry company that got overrun in some god forsaken hillside.

It's been mentioned here a few times already, but the correct definition of what makes a person a Military Veteran is far less "sexy" or "honorable" that what many people think ( prior service members and civilians alike ).



180 days of continuous service and discharged honorably= Veteran and entitled to all that comes with being so.



I learned that definition about a year into my Navy service. At the time, I thought being a Veteran meant having seen combat.



Nope.



See that dirtbag sailor over there?... the one milking the system to get a medical retirement after 8 months in uniform? He went through boot camp then a few months of classroom training, then "developed" a nagging skin condition/back issue/knee prob/carpal tunnel or some other ailment that prevented him from continuing on. Yup, he's a veteran.



And see that Medal of Honor Recipient standing next to him? He's a veteran, too.



What I also learned is that the Honorable ones far, far outnumber the dirtbags.



Another thing I hear and see is the term "Retired" military. If a service member chooses to leave active duty after 14 years, they are not "retired", they left on their own volition.



The parameters for retirement can be very complex, though.

[widgeon13]

Anyone here familiar with the term "survivor guilt"?

[Craig T]

I'm told this is rare for a peacetime vet...The Meritorious Service Award.

Gratuitous I know

[Rikao4]

have read about it..
IMO..
there was a reason..
in my crazy days..
I did enough to get killed several times..
one real bad one..
years later...
I was in the right place for others..

Rika

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by motion

I am technically a veteran, but as I only sat in front of computers for 4 years in the Air Force stateside, I do not claim anything of the sort.

Wow. Never would have imagined guys like you (and others in this thread) would not consider yourselves veterans.
My pop wrenched on Buffs and KC-135s in Guam during Vietnam. My maternal great uncle was a bombardier on a B29 in the Pacific. Another uncle flew a desk during Korea. All veterans in my opinion and have contributed (in one way or another) to my civilized way of life and I am most grateful.

So, thanks for manning those computers

[Head416]

I'll throw this one out...

I had a student who signed up to be a marine. In basic he was injured, set aside for several weeks to heal, then put back into basic. He went along for a while, then was injured again. (Broke his ankles twice.) They decided he had weak ankles and wasn't medically fit for duty.

Is he a veteran?

He signed up. He submitted himself to service for his country, then because of something outside of his control he was discharged. I know that isn't the same as going to war or serving for 20 years, but was the choice he made any different?

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Head416

I'll throw this one out...

I had a student who signed up to be a marine. In basic he was injured, set aside for several weeks to heal, then put back into basic. He went along for a while, then was injured again. (Broke his ankles twice.) They decided he had weak ankles and wasn't medically fit for duty.

Is he a veteran?

He signed up. He submitted himself to service for his country, then because of something outside of his control he was discharged. I know that isn't the same as going to war or serving for 20 years, but was the choice he made any different?

As long as his discharge isn't "dishonorable" or "other than honorable" then I'd say yes, he's a veteran. He signed the same blank check the others did....

[DonDavis]

It's a case by case basis. Many, many moving parts and conditions dictate what happens. There was a guy in my boot camp that had severe scalp psoriasis and when his head was shaved, he bled like hell. He was separated and sent home. A co-worker of mine was leaving Naval service and found he was diabetic. He was put on medical hold until his condition was thoroughly evaluated. He was eventually given a medical retirement.

Service delayed due to injury takes the conversation in a different direction. Without nit-picking the details ( which is very complex, refer to my "retirement" statement in my earlier post), if he completed 180 days active service, ( injured or not ) he's a veteran. If he was medically separated with less than 6 months service, I don't think he qualifies as a vet. It depends solely on the condition of separation.

Btw, if some guy down at the bar thumps his chest and calls someone a Veteran based on his opinion, it officially means exactly what cost....nada. If that same chest thumper wants to buy the guy a beer and shake his hand, that's his choice. It doesn't mean that guy is or isn't a Vet.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Craig T

I'm told this is rare for a peacetime vet...The Meritorious Service Award.

Gratuitous I know

Actually, that is an Air Force Commendation Medal (for meritorious service). Thanks you for your service.

[emcon5]

I was Navy aircrew from ~86 to ~96, and I consider myself a veteran. The way I look at it, some of the stuff we did (low level airborne ASW, chasing Soviet subs at 200 feet) was probably more risky than someone who was a camp guard in Colorado during WW2. I don't see that camp guard as any less of a Veteran than anyone else, everyone had a job to do, and not all of them involved Combat.

That being said, Combat Vets certainly deserve the respect and support of the nation, something that I feel is lacking, particularly from the government that sent them there in the first place.

[motion]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Motion, you and I should do beers someday. I'm the same sort of veteran as you. I didn't know I was a vet' until I read this thread.

Oh hell yeah! It would be my honor! I should be down that way around May or so.

[xbrumossalesman]

Originally Posted by id10t

A veteran is someone who wrote a blank check to the United States for any amount up to and including their life.

Anyone who stepped forward to take the oath and served honorably