What makes someone a veteran?
 

What makes someone a veteran?

I've seen "Any service in any branch for any amount of time," all the way up to, "Only those who actually fought in a war," and many in between definitions.

I was in the Navy for a few years, but don't consider myself a veteran.

Is there an "official" definition?

I would think that in the military during a time of conflict, or maybe that plus deployed to an area of conflict or in support of the conflict. My uncle (had dinner with him tonight, he's officiating our wedding tomorrow) was a marine seabee in Vietnam. My father was in the Navy in Vietnam, but didn't get any close than Hawaii. He was a Crypto Tech, so he wasn't really in a front line kind of role.

Personally, a Veteran is anyone who put on the uniform and either still serves or has received a Honorable discharge DD-214.
Federal job preference is for those honorable separated veterans (this means an honorable or general discharge) who served on active duty (not active duty for training) in the Armed Forces:
during any war (this means a war declared by Congress, the last of which was World War II).
For more than 180 consecutive days, any part of which occurred after 1/31/55 and before 10/15/76.
During the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955 (Korean War).
In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized, such as El Salvador, Lebanon, Granada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti.
those honorably separated veterans who 1) qualify as disabled veterans because they have served on active duty in the Armed Forces at any time and have a present service-connected disability or are receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs; or 2) are Purple Heart recipients.
Campaign Medal holders and Gulf War veterans who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered on active duty on or after October 14, 1982, without having previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty, must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/benefits/a/vetbenefits.htm

US Code, Title 38, Sec. 101. “Definitions:
(2) The term “veteran” means 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.
(12) The term “veteran of any war”
means any veteran who served in
the active military, naval, or air
service during a period of war.
(21) The term “active duty” means–
(A) Full-time duty in the Armed
Forces, (active and reserve) other
than active duty for training.”

When I was in, it was classified as over 180 days of active duty, and having a decent discharge rating on your DD-214. If the gov't classifies you as a Vet based on that, then a subjective(personal) opinion of what is/is not a Vet holds no water.

Thankfully, I never saw war or real combat...no one comes out of that shyte a
"better man", unless your Hannibal Lecter and have no sense of empathy seeing people shot/blown up, etc and the sense that some is relentlessly trying to kill you.

War "games" were pretty scary at times, and spending 30 days in say a place like Eglin Air Force base(Galant Eagle 79) makes one appreciate simple things like hot water, food, and not having to wear a gas mask for 16 hours in 100 degree heat/100 humidity.

I was in the Navy from 76-80....That being said My dad is a Vet along with people like Bob Dole who met us at the WWII memorial in D.C. last month.

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.

Having as you say, never been in combat or even a war zone I don't think you are qualified to judge what makes a person a better man.

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.

Would you like to spend some time with me at the VA Long Beach(since your in Dana Point) and discuss their views on how combat made them better people? With thousands of troops coming back from WWII, Korea, Nam, Gulf Wars shell shocked with post traumatic stress syndromes, etc, it's WELL documented no one comes out of combat a better man than when he/she went in.

"I don't think"...maybe you just react, and have a bone to pick.

I know quite a few combat vets and they are better men. Your views are skewed.

so change that to "I don't believe".

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.

Navy Seabee.....
 

First, let me congratulate your uncle for his time in service. However, if he was a genuine SeaBee, he was Navy, not a Marine. Unless, of course, he was a Marine on detached duty to a SeaBee batallion or SeaBee Team.

Been there, done that, including a trip to "Nam".

With all due respect to both gentlemen - IMHO you can't paint with a broad brush. Everyone has a different experience - although if I had to generalize I would say participation in actual battle - especially hand to hand - up close and personal - does leave scars on many levels. But not for every soldier, IMHO.

Yesterday on talk radio I heard a person refer to themselves as a "Vietnam era " vet. In the course of his discussion it became very noticeable that he was emphasizing that he served during Vietnam but not in Vietnam although he never came out a said that. Never thought about it really.

But I did call my father and wish a happy veterans day. He retired from army with 1 tour in Korea and 2 in vietnam. And 3 purple hearts.

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

It is pretty hard to define based on what one actually did in the military...so that is why I would use the legal definition posted by CrustyChief. Folks in the military go where and do what they are told. I have had quite a few friends serve in Iraq or Afghanistan whose records show they were in country, but they spent the entire time pushing paperwork while others I know in Spec Forces, Spec Ops, etc. in the cold war who were in much more dicey situations still cannot even talk about what they have done and their records do not show anything. So even if you break it down, as many do....into Veteran, are Veteran and Combat Veteran, there are still holes. Even what seems like cushy duty sitting in the US and flying a Predator, launching missiles and watching people die (often collateral civilians deaths as well) cold be pretty horrible. I know missile duty underground in the middle of North Dakota or 12 hrs a day on the flightline in Chem gear in the Texas sun are not much fun...even though you never leave the US.

I agree, whether they wrote that check voluntarily or involuntarily.

Code of Federal Regulations Chapter 38 Paragraph 3.2 (f) defines the Vietnam Era as "The period beginning on February 28, 1961 and ending on May 7, 1975, inclusive, in the case of a veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period. The period beginning on August 5, 1964 and ended on May 7, 1975 inclusive, in all other cases."

My father is a Vietnam Era veteran. He served the USAF at a base in Okinawa.

This.

My dad served in the USAF for 25 years. I still remember him laughing at me once when I complained I did not get a Christmas bonus at work. He never fought in battle but he did indeed help save the lives of many of his fellow men in uniforms. He never once received a Christmas bonus or overtime pay for long hours.

Even if the person serving in the Armed Services never did anything more than cook and clean in the mess hall in Kansas if he or she served his time and was discharged with good standing they are a vet. No one every joined the military for the big paycheck.