Posted on Nov 16, 2015
Do you think someone who has never been in a combat has the right to call themselves a veteran?
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Let me apologize in advance to the people who find this question insulting... I'm just wondering what other people who served viewpoint is.
I personally went many years before I broke down and got "Desert Storm" Veteran tags, and the "Veteran" identifier on my driver's license... I'm still not entirely convinced that I deserve the 101st patch on my right sleeve, for the most part all I did was fix helicopter engines in the sand.
I have a great friend that served in the Air Force, and never left CONUS.
I have a relative that served on Aircraft carriers before Vietnam.
Both proudly stand up when "Veteran's" are asked to at public gatherings, but I always feel strange standing up.
Legal definition of "veteran" aside (someone who served at least six months and received an honorable discharge). I'm wondering more about how those of us that served feel about the term.
When a civilian hears "Veteran" I get the impression that they think we all stormed the beaches at Normandy, and for the most part I was really bored, played Spades and Tetris on my Gameboy during Desert Storm.
Should someone who was in the military during the Vietnam conflict (but never in theater) be allowed "Vietnam Veteran" license plates?
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", TSgt Hunter Logan , CH (MAJ) William Beaver , COL Ted Mc
I personally went many years before I broke down and got "Desert Storm" Veteran tags, and the "Veteran" identifier on my driver's license... I'm still not entirely convinced that I deserve the 101st patch on my right sleeve, for the most part all I did was fix helicopter engines in the sand.
I have a great friend that served in the Air Force, and never left CONUS.
I have a relative that served on Aircraft carriers before Vietnam.
Both proudly stand up when "Veteran's" are asked to at public gatherings, but I always feel strange standing up.
Legal definition of "veteran" aside (someone who served at least six months and received an honorable discharge). I'm wondering more about how those of us that served feel about the term.
When a civilian hears "Veteran" I get the impression that they think we all stormed the beaches at Normandy, and for the most part I was really bored, played Spades and Tetris on my Gameboy during Desert Storm.
Should someone who was in the military during the Vietnam conflict (but never in theater) be allowed "Vietnam Veteran" license plates?
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", TSgt Hunter Logan , CH (MAJ) William Beaver , COL Ted Mc
Posted in these groups: 
Military service
Purple Heart
Military service Purple Heart
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 368
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You don't get to decide what you do in the military, and no one can dictate whether there will even be conflict while one is on Oath to the Constitution.
What makes a veteran is taking on the responsibility of being under orders that may lead you into harm's way.
I call Bullsh!t on this whole idea that only combat veterans can claim to be veterans.
What makes a veteran is taking on the responsibility of being under orders that may lead you into harm's way.
I call Bullsh!t on this whole idea that only combat veterans can claim to be veterans.
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SPC Manuel Cabrero
They should just create three Official new Categories of:
- Combat Veteran
- Combat Wounded Veteran
- Service Connected Disabled Veteran
*And have the VA issue appropriate ID cards, Driver Licenses, and License Plates
- Combat Veteran
- Combat Wounded Veteran
- Service Connected Disabled Veteran
*And have the VA issue appropriate ID cards, Driver Licenses, and License Plates
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SPC Edward Abney
I am so tired of this BS! I enlisted in the Army in 1962, served for three years. I am a Veteran, I did not serve in Vietnam, I don't call myself a Vietnam Veteran, I am an Army Veteran, and proud of my service. Do I respect Combat Veterans, damn right I do, the difference between us is, the Army sent me to my duty station in Japan, and sent some of my high school buddies to Vietnam.
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SPC Daniel Rankin
I was always told by my senior vets that once you have put your boots on the ground, no matter what, once you have finished basic and advanced training you are a veteran when you get out of the service. It didn't matter if you served one day or six months or one year or longer. You served your country.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SPC DAVID HANNAMAN?
QUICK Question: We Were IN The Service, But NOT Deployed Into Combat.
That Being Said, What Would YOU Prefer To Refer To Us As?
QUICK Question: We Were IN The Service, But NOT Deployed Into Combat.
That Being Said, What Would YOU Prefer To Refer To Us As?
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Hell yeah they are Veterans! Look at the 99% of the fat A$$ Fu<{tards walking around our country that disqualify themselves from service and would in no way leave the comfort of sitting on their asses while squandering the benefits provided from everyone of us that busts our asses to provide them. Best thank your relatives that had the courage to stand up and serve SPC David Hannaman, and be as proud of them as I am.
edited to add:
I gotta edit this first sentence as many are not walking around, their 20 something year old lazy asses are rolling around in the rechargeable scooters parked in the front of the store while our Korean War and Vietnam Veterans that earned that Purple Heart are struggling to make it on the earnest living they are making from hard work!
In a bad way right now, really angry if you cannot tell!
edited to add:
I gotta edit this first sentence as many are not walking around, their 20 something year old lazy asses are rolling around in the rechargeable scooters parked in the front of the store while our Korean War and Vietnam Veterans that earned that Purple Heart are struggling to make it on the earnest living they are making from hard work!
In a bad way right now, really angry if you cannot tell!
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LTC James McElreath
CSM Michael U,
I thank you for your astute observation of the fine people that we had protect on the home front! There are a lot of good soldiers out there (men and women) that are doing their part to support those in the fight.
I thank you for your thoughts and would not wish them toned down what so ever! I would not except anything less from a CSM.
I thank you for your astute observation of the fine people that we had protect on the home front! There are a lot of good soldiers out there (men and women) that are doing their part to support those in the fight.
I thank you for your thoughts and would not wish them toned down what so ever! I would not except anything less from a CSM.
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We can't all be trigger pullers and see combat. Some of us have to refuel the vehicles that get the trigger pullers to combat, service the aircraft that provide their air support, cook the food that feeds the grunts, provide the medical care for when they get injured, etc. My grandfather was a WWII vet and didn't feel legit because he was "just a cook". The two best times of the day are chow and mail call when you're away, so without him there would have been some hungry guys. There's always going to be the competitive nature between MOSs of whose life sucks more, but in the end our goal is still the same. Win.
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SPC Cesar Freytes
To all... please define combat in this new era. Is the assault in Somalia ( just an example ) in so called peace time not combat or is the infantryman eating steak in Bagram AFB during the heroic fight on terrorism with designer sunglasses combat . No insults intended.... We are all veterans even if you Air Force and Navy. 911 is not the big bang. Always feel proud of your service.
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SGT (Join to see)
This an old post, I'm just seeing it though. I agree totally. My MOS made others call me REMF. I worked in a Calibration Lab most of my career. The thing is, that no matter where it was set up it was always a target of opportunity. I didn't get to retire. I was a victim of the MMRB at 10.5 years. My left shoulder is titanium. I was on a permanent profile from the time I had done 2.5 years active. I was allowed to reenlist 3 times while on the profile. Then DoA started looking for "Vogue" soldiers, and releasing troops that didn't fit the mold. I was just as dedicated to my country as anyone else, and I proudly wear the mantle of Veteran.
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PFC Donnie Harold Harris
Nine go for every one that fights. That is predetermined. We can not dismiss the eight that got the others trained equipped and ready to go. Haled them out of the fight and got them home. Our concerns and infighting is with the VA and after the war fights stop. So what if someone gets recognition. I was in Texas working remotely when one day I was confronted by a vet who asked me all kinds of questions in open mall spaces to find out if I had served in Korea. Hell he was not even born yet. But he got high off of making me look bad because i had been out for 25 years and should still known all the terms and photocalls. I was wearing a hat he could not make fit with his Identity. Now it is all about Hats? What color and what does it say.
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SSG Gregg Mourizen
Exactly.
75% of the military supports the 10-20% that actually see combat/
MPs, Cooks, Medical, Logistics, CBRN, Aviation, Engineers...
Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines.
Even the Coastguard and Public Health Service play their roles. Might I add the NOAA and the USGS. Even the postal service
Various government agencies
Some at great risk. Others, well they do their part.
Before you ask about that other 5-15%? We don't talk about those. They know who they are and so do those around them.
75% of the military supports the 10-20% that actually see combat/
MPs, Cooks, Medical, Logistics, CBRN, Aviation, Engineers...
Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines.
Even the Coastguard and Public Health Service play their roles. Might I add the NOAA and the USGS. Even the postal service
Various government agencies
Some at great risk. Others, well they do their part.
Before you ask about that other 5-15%? We don't talk about those. They know who they are and so do those around them.
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