Posted on Feb 21, 2019
Are Afghanistan or Iraq civilian contractors considered veterans?
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Contractors
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DoD Civilian
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 16
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Negative, although they served overseas in a supporting role, Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.”
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So I see a lot of members here right off the bat say "NO". Now by law yes that is absolutely right. But do I consider civilian contractors a veteran of OIF or OEF ect if they were there supporting during the time. Yes I do. I do not consider them a military veteran ect. But I respect them "well most of them after dealing with them for a straight year I almost lost my mind on a lot of them but they were all prior service" lol.
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CPO (Join to see)
That is what I was going to say, as I served toe to toe with many of them over there, and saw some lose their lives and yes they were Vets, except the one Iraqi that worked with us, that was killed also.
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SFC Scott Higgins
You said you consider civilian contractors a veteran of OIF or OEF. Well, My son was in the marching band for four years and was considered a "veteran" Band member. So, if you are using veteran as just a simple Formerly part of a group, then sure. But you yourself say you can't consider them a military veteran. Isn't that what is being talked about?
Now it is for certain, some contractors saw action. No doubt. Some lost their lives, true. So did a countless number of non-contractor civilians - we don't call them veterans either.
Now it is for certain, some contractors saw action. No doubt. Some lost their lives, true. So did a countless number of non-contractor civilians - we don't call them veterans either.
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SFC(P) (Join to see)
SFC Scott Higgins - No the OP did not say MILITARY Veteran in his question he just said VETERAN. To me anyone that Supported OIF, OEF, and any other operation is a veteran of that operation. Now if he would of said military veteran then yes its a different story.
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SFC Scott Higgins
SSG (P) okay, difference of opinion. I guess it comes down to how it is used. As I stated before, if you are just using veteran as someone who was formerly part of a group i.e. veteran of the DMV Line to get a license, veteran shopper, veteran car buyer....they sure why not consider them veterans of the operation. Since this is a military related site, I concluded that the question was referencing their status as possible military veterans. Perhaps I was wrong. But I don't believe so.
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