A "Veteran" after dropping out of boot camp? Where do you draw the line?

Someone that can't even manage to finish basic training in My estimate is NOT a Veteran. Its not that there aren't any injuries at all but if there is a injury it's usually temporary and then once cured return to and finish basic training. I spent 22 years in an Air Force uniform, Retired and NEVER had a problem hacking any part of it and it's NOT hard to do.

If she did not serve at least 180 consecutive days, she is not eligible for veteran status or any of the benefits that come with that.

The term Veteran should be reserved for those who have seen combat, been wounded or killed on active duty or put in harms way. If you don't fit that bill than your just a government employee.

It's not her fault for getting hurt the main thing is she took the oath to serve her country and could have given her life that means alot

I understand your feelings about the unnamed woman but I have a question that I haven't asked in 42yrs and I hope someone here can answer. I enlisted in the Marines in 1976 and I left after a little more than 1 month of basic training. You can say I couldn't hack it and I wouldn't argue that point. I know I was immature and didn't like being bossed around. In any case I received an Honorable & Faithful Service discharge certificate and DD-214 which states I was a Private and on the DD-214 it states Basic Marine.. I'm now 60yrs old and have never stated I was in the Marines on any job application nor tried to get benefits. When I was discharged my DI's suggested I do not state I was a Marine and I have taken their advise all these years. However, I have recently applied to a couple of large companies that do only military work. I always check the box that states Not a veteran/ No military service.. I am concerned that they will find that I was actually in the Marines and disqualify me for employment because I have lied on the application. If you or anyone here can answer that question for me it would be appreciated.

If she didn't serve 180 days , she is NOT a Veteran!

Hell no she's NOT a vet...more like a WUSS! We had an individual who worked at a Correctional facility with us that joined the Marines but quit before even finishing his first week of bootcamp! While celebrating the MARINES birthday he was "presented" the knife to cut the cake since tradition is the oldest and youngest Marine make the first slice. Needless to say, the oldest was a 12year Marine vet who served in 'Nam and 2 days later found out about this "Marine" who was telling people who weren't military that he served in combat was pissed! So was a fellow corrections officer who happened to be a retired Marines Sargent Major! That individual was on everyone's shit-list for the majority of corrections officers at that facility were either retired military, still serving or discharged after their 2nd enlistment!

It's pathetic when you have individuals like these wannabes claiming something they are not...

Personally, I consider you a veteran when you graduate BootCamp, BMT or Basic Training...if you're discharged during that time because of a severe injury which prevents you from graduating I respect you but don't consider recognizing you as a vet.

"Veteran" is a very gray word. For some, it means any service at all. For others, it means a deployment. For others still, it means combat. Before I knew the official definition (any service, completion of contract), I was of the mindset that a veteran was someone who deployed.

I have a family member who never finished boot camp, and yet gets free check ups and so forth from the VA. Is that legal?

If the person dropped out of their own free will, no they are not a Veteran. If they were injured during basic, and was medically discharged then by AR's they are not considered Veteran, but are qualified for benefits. The person didnt enter basic with that injury. However, a restart should have been done, and refusal on the persons behalf equals no Veteran Status, and seperation from service during enlistment. Basically, couldnt or wouldnt complete basic.
I enlisted in the Coast Guard, I did not get to complete basic, however it was not because I elected to not do so. This choice was made by the powers that be, I was given an Honorable Discharge with a re-enlistment code of RE-3. I was denied benefits period, I don't go around saying I am a Veteran, nor do I get anything for enlisting, that would be wrong and against my morals and values.
I was told that I had too many cavities, (yep, that's right, it wasn't a typo), I was in basic for 2 months, and fought hard to remain, I tried everything in my power to make them reconsider, upto and including a call from my State Senator to the Base Commander. It all was for not, and with 2 weeks remaining of my original company basic, even begged for them to not discharge me, I told them all I didn't care how many times I needed to restart if that was necessary, while I remained in, to have the cavities fixed.
I admit, I did have cavities, however, I was told that the most cavities that they would accept and allow for continued training was 8... I had 11 :(
I passed all MEPS screenings, dental included, took my oath, and shipped on date.
Anyway, I was told to get cavities corrected and I would be welcomed back, I had nothing, no job, no income, no insurance, not looking good to get those corrected there. So...
This was all before this keep your kids on your parents insurance until 26 years old (screwed there).
So after waiting a year, I re-enlisted in the Army National Guard, went through MEPS all good again, Went in on the DEP, did that for more than 5 months, was, shipped out, was in basic for a month, was paid each month while on DEP, since I did participate in drills.
Anyway, a month into basic, they started the indepth physicals, all was good, but them (Yep, another hiccup coming I sensed), sure enough, I got called into a review board with a Marine Captain heading it up, I was running everything through my mind, asking myself what I did wrong...When I was a child, about 7 years old, I learned through my own fault, that I was allergic to bee/wasp venom.
As soon as they dug that up, I was bounced out again!, because I was allergic to bee/wasp venom (I can't win for losing).
But despite all the build ups, and let downs, and efforts on my part, and others trying to help make my goal happen, it didn't.
I still don't claim Veteran, but I do claim PRIDE, INTEGRITY, and GUTS (spells P.I.G.), I went on to a stent as a State Correctional Officer.
I would have given anything to have been granted the ability to have a Military Career, but for whatever reason(s) it didn't happen. I still don't claim Veteran, and no benefits, but I always looked back, and I see those who have returned from the currect events, and say to myself, "Those are the Veterans, Those are the true Hero's". I tried like hell, and can honestly say I did, and wasn't afraid to enlist and serve my Country, although, it seems my country powers that be, didn't feel I was good enough.

So for those claiming VETERAN and didn't even get as far as I did. Remember this, Some of us, when we get to Heaven will be Ridin in, while you wait in line.
Thank you for letting me share this, it is the first time I have spoke of it since it happen, I was 22 then, I'm now 53.... Memories is all I have, Thank You to ALL The True VETERANS ML&R

Randy