Are Afghanistan or Iraq civilian contractors considered veterans?

2019-02-21T09:58:54-05:00

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Feb 21 at 2019 10:37 AM

2019-02-21T10:37:33-05:00

A civilian contractor who never served in the military is not considered a veteran.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Feb 21 at 2019 11:22 AM

2019-02-21T11:22:55-05:00

Only if they once served in uniform are they considered Veterans.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Feb 21 at 2019 11:23 AM

2019-02-21T11:23:15-05:00

Do you mean US contractors stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan ?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2019 11:46 AM

2019-02-21T11:46:32-05:00

No. They’re considered civilians.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2019 11:49 AM

2019-02-21T11:49:50-05:00

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.”

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2019 1:10 PM

2019-02-21T13:10:59-05:00

Nope.
SSG Private RallyPoint Member nailed it.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2019 1:18 PM

2019-02-21T13:18:52-05:00

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.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2019 2:56 PM

2019-02-21T14:56:26-05:00

Veterans of the Conflicts yes, and some the Operator types PSD, Intel Operator Types I worked with are Combat Vets more so then some Military that stayed inside the wire. My 2cents.

Response by CDR Derek Reeves made Feb 21 at 2019 4:07 PM

2019-02-21T16:07:01-05:00

Heck no!

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Feb 21 at 2019 4:36 PM

2019-02-21T16:36:16-05:00

No.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 21 at 2019 5:12 PM

2019-02-21T17:12:13-05:00

umm...nope!

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Feb 21 at 2019 8:34 PM

2019-02-21T20:34:08-05:00

Not unless they earned that from prior service in the Military.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Feb 21 at 2019 9:00 PM

2019-02-21T21:00:15-05:00

No. They get no honors if they are killed. It was hell getting their remains back to their families. Contractors were not appreciated for what they did for the troops. I was a DOD Armed Security Contractor from 2003 to 2008. The people that worked for KBR were treated like shit in my opinion. My group supported Big Army in other ways and were respected by high ranking officers. There were other contractors that were jack asses which no one liked Blackwater except the Embassy until they shot up the square two blocks from the International Zone. Contractors get paid; thats it.

Response by SFC Scott Higgins made Feb 22 at 2019 1:09 PM

2019-02-22T13:09:54-05:00

I think your question answers itself. "Civilian" contractors.
Unless they had served in the military they are not veterans.

Response by Denise Cardin-Abney made Feb 24 at 2019 5:59 PM

2019-02-24T17:59:46-05:00

No. They are not. They received no benefits from the VA.

Response by Eric Lund made Mar 24 at 2019 11:58 AM

2019-03-24T11:58:19-04:00

Should they be? yes. Are they? no. we have forgotten the lessons from the Vietnam War. There was once an organization called air America. These civilians flew recon air missions as well as transporting military supplies to our allies in Cambodia. Many were killed or captured by the Viet Cong and NVA. After 20+ years of bitching and waiting for documents it me declassified the us finally recognized air America as a military and its members as military combat veterans. But they did not classify all private military contractors in combat roles or support as veterans so we have people serving our country in rolls that are vital to the success of operations that will get zero recognition from our country for there service. And a lot of cases they will never be able to speak about their service as their roles are classified. Meanwhile a guy serves as a 92F for 4 years never sees a day of combat and gets full benefits.