Training
Discharge
Medical
Injuries
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There has to be way more to the story than the OP is giving here. You don't receive an OTH discharge for medical.
Couple of things from AR 635-200:
Couple of things from AR 635-200:
1–13. Reduction in grade
When a Soldier is to be discharged under other than honorable conditions, the separation authority will direct an immediate reduction to the lowest enlisted grade per AR 600–8–19, chapter 10.
3–6. Separation as it affects the Soldier
b. Discharge under other than honorable conditions may or may not deprive the Soldier of veterans’ benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs; a determination by that agency is required in each case.
3–7. Types of administrative discharges/character of service
c. Under other than honorable conditions discharge: A discharge under other than honorable conditions is an administrative separation from the Service under conditions other than honorable. It may be issued for misconduct, fraudulent entry, security reasons, or in lieu of trial by court martial in the following circumstances:
(1) When the reason for separation is based upon a pattern of behavior that constitutes a significant departure from the conduct expected of Soldiers of the Army.
(2) When the reason for separation is based upon one or more acts or omissions that constitutes a significant departure from the conduct expected of Soldiers of the Army.
Usually I wait for more information before giving an opinion, but based on the OTH discharge and a RE code of 3, a reasonable conclusion would be that you messed up somewhere and got booted out. If that is the case, no, I don't feel like you should call yourself a veteran. You failed to complete your initial training and were separated for something you did that was considered a "significant departure from the conduct expected of Soldiers of the Army."
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Hey, I was a former trainee that got hurt during BCT never got To go to AIT or anything of the sort. I was there 4 months total while my papers were processed. To be considered a vet you have to be in training for atleast 6 months. Before ur chapter papers can be processed You have to go do SFL (soldier for life) you get vet status,VA loans, and access to trucare
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38 U.S. Code Part II, Chap 20, Sub Chap I $ 2002 - Definitions Para (b)
(b) Veteran Defined.—
(1) Notwithstanding section 101(2) of this title and except as provided in paragraph (2), for purposes of sections 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, and 2061 of this title, the term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, regardless of length of service, and who was discharged or released therefrom.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “veteran” excludes a person who—
(A) received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces; or
(B) was discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces by reason of the sentence of a general court-martial.
It should be noted this definition does not always apply nor does it necessarily relate to eligibility towards benefits a Veteran can receive. As a start, for VA benefits, I recommend you talk to your local Veterans Service Officer.
(b) Veteran Defined.—
(1) Notwithstanding section 101(2) of this title and except as provided in paragraph (2), for purposes of sections 2011, 2012, 2013, 2044, and 2061 of this title, the term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, regardless of length of service, and who was discharged or released therefrom.
(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “veteran” excludes a person who—
(A) received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces; or
(B) was discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces by reason of the sentence of a general court-martial.
It should be noted this definition does not always apply nor does it necessarily relate to eligibility towards benefits a Veteran can receive. As a start, for VA benefits, I recommend you talk to your local Veterans Service Officer.
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SGT Ted Carlin
Absolutely. The VA makes those decisions. And likely as not they can just look at your DD214 (which they can access digitally) and tell you within a very shot time-hours, days maybe even minutes. If you feel it is wrong, there is a process of getting a discharge reviewed, but I think that usually stems from one sort of legal proceedings and applies to general discharges etc. Do Like MSgt Myer Augusts and see a VA service officer. Not, by the way, a National service officer from a Veterans organization because they do not make those determinations. And by the way I am a member of 2 Veterans Organizations.
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I was given an honorable medically discharge during basic in 1996 and Ive always been ashamed to be a veteran if the fact comes up that I'm a veteran. I now have a life long condtion that I fight every day. I finally applied for benefits and was given them in 2011 15 years later when my job fired me after I spent an extended stay in the hospital because of my service connected disability. So the answer is yes you are a Veteran even if you don't finish basic. I don't feel right about telling people I am a Veteran an receive benefits because I didn't serve. People get jealous. The other problem is we live in a society that people want benefits they don't deserve. I was medivaced home and hospitalized for a few months and put myself through university and spent 15 years fighting my illiness. Providing my own medical care and medications.
So let me ask you, do you feel you deserve to call yourself a Veteran. For me its a tough call because we made the decision to give everything to our country and for me I did. Now I have lost my career that I fought to get and don't enjoy riding the disability train.
Its been interesting reading that other people wonder the same things I do. Thanks for the good read.
So let me ask you, do you feel you deserve to call yourself a Veteran. For me its a tough call because we made the decision to give everything to our country and for me I did. Now I have lost my career that I fought to get and don't enjoy riding the disability train.
Its been interesting reading that other people wonder the same things I do. Thanks for the good read.
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SGT Ted Carlin
I have a 100% percent rating and stayed in. In fact between first the Army then the National Guard I was in for 2 months shy of 10 years.Do not be ashamed of service, especially since your injury or illness was deemed service connected. If they said it was you have no reason whatsoever to be ashamed. I can assure you the VA does not give that rating out often or easily. You are not on any sort of gravy train. In fact, you should be aware that there are vets out there who cannot get, or fight for , benefits-mostly medical-for years before getting anything at all. If you knew the sad saga of the blue water vets who were and still are being denied benefits for exposure to Agent Orange, you would understand. As I say, buck up, do not be ashamed and say "why yes, I am a veteran." You do not have to recite the story, and you do not need to feel anything other than proud and grateful that you were able to serve, even if for short time.
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By statute, a veteran is defined as a “person who served in
the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under
conditions other than dishonorable.” 38 U.S.C. § 101(2)
If you received an uncharacterized discharge it is still considered other than dishonorable and you are still a veteran. Time in service requirements are in place for different benefits, but they don't change the definition of a veteran.
the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under
conditions other than dishonorable.” 38 U.S.C. § 101(2)
If you received an uncharacterized discharge it is still considered other than dishonorable and you are still a veteran. Time in service requirements are in place for different benefits, but they don't change the definition of a veteran.
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PVT Claudette Giroux
Thank you SFC Miller. Like I said earlier, Not looking to get VA Benefits, just piece of mind.
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No. You have to earn the title. Otherwise people would just join up with the intention of quitting just to get veterans benefits (not that there's a lot of them). As another poster already said, it would be like trying out for a sports team but not making the cut... you wouldn't then call yourself a Colt, or a Bronco or whatever. And then there's the regulations people have listed. As for your dd214, it's just a discharge paper, doesn't make you a veteran.
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PV2 (Join to see)
As I said before I'm not looking for the benefits I was just under wondering if I could call myself of that because I did serve at least 180 days and that's my understanding the classification of event even though I did not serve in a combat theater so I'm confused
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PFC Tony Savarese
First of... Semper Fi Sgt Clint B...
I took the oath and shipped off to Parris Island. Training day 1, I cracked my right thigh bone. I hid it from my SDI for almost 2 weeks until med inspection and they saw the huge purple green bruise. It was x-rayed and I had an inch long crack in my right femur. I continued to train. I did the 3 mile runs, I even tested and passed my exit quals. On day 79 out of 91, they re-x-rayed it. The crack was now an inch and a half long. They discharged me due to the injury. I broke my F'n leg on Parris Island .. I appealed the discharge to my SDI, my Co. Commander, my BtN Commander (3rd Btn), and finally the base XO. They all told me the same thing. As far as I'm concerned, you are a Marine, but regs states that we have to send you home to heal... Come back and get your EGA... I trained with the best and passed all written and PT requirements. I trained for 79 days, thats 10 1/2 weeks out of the 13 to become a marine with a fractured thighbone.. My DD214 discharged me as PFC, not a Recruit... .. Am I a vet?
I took the oath and shipped off to Parris Island. Training day 1, I cracked my right thigh bone. I hid it from my SDI for almost 2 weeks until med inspection and they saw the huge purple green bruise. It was x-rayed and I had an inch long crack in my right femur. I continued to train. I did the 3 mile runs, I even tested and passed my exit quals. On day 79 out of 91, they re-x-rayed it. The crack was now an inch and a half long. They discharged me due to the injury. I broke my F'n leg on Parris Island .. I appealed the discharge to my SDI, my Co. Commander, my BtN Commander (3rd Btn), and finally the base XO. They all told me the same thing. As far as I'm concerned, you are a Marine, but regs states that we have to send you home to heal... Come back and get your EGA... I trained with the best and passed all written and PT requirements. I trained for 79 days, thats 10 1/2 weeks out of the 13 to become a marine with a fractured thighbone.. My DD214 discharged me as PFC, not a Recruit... .. Am I a vet?
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According to Reg-- NO. You also said "injuries before entering" This is what is called EPTS (Existed Prior To Service.) When I was a DS, we put trainees (not Soldiers till COMPLETED training) out all the time because of EPTS. This was due to either not being truthful on enlistment papers and at MEPS or the Recruiter telling individuals not to tell about sickness or injuries.
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PVT Claudette Giroux
I was completely truthful on my enlistment papers even though my Recruiter told me not to be. I was at Ft.Jackson and passed my PT test with ease. But my medical I did not. I was told by the Doctor, my DS and my CO that because I had had a hysterectomy the year prior and my allergies to antibiotics was not fit to serve. Discharged with EPTS. I am not looking to get VA benefits. I completely understand that I am not eligible for them. I just am wondering that since I enlisted in good faith and did all I was commanded to do until they shipped me home am I, or am I not considered a Veteran? I would have done anything to stay in.
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SFC Stillman G.
PVT Claudette Giroux - Thank you for being honest when Enlisting, you definitely have Integrity. I commend you for trying out for the TEAM, and sorry you didn't make it. Unfortunately, you can't LEGALLY call yourself a Veteran. BUT you can still say that you enlisted and tried out for the TEAM, but got released due to medical reasons.
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PVT Claudette Giroux
Thank you for your response SFC Stillman Guisinger. It was my life dream to be a member of our Armed Services. It was a family tradition from my fathers side that I wanted to keep up. Every male in my father's family served. US Army, Navy and Marine Corps. From the 1930's through the 1960's. Surprisingly something my older brother was never inclined to do.
At least I do have the memories, no matter how short, of working with my Reserve Unit here in Syracuse before being shipped to Ft.jackson. Plus my time at Ft.Jackson. I would not trade that for anything. I have in my file drawer my DD-214. It's not perfect but it's mine. Sadly, it is not one from 20 plus years of service.
Thank you for all your service SFC. Take care of yourself.
At least I do have the memories, no matter how short, of working with my Reserve Unit here in Syracuse before being shipped to Ft.jackson. Plus my time at Ft.Jackson. I would not trade that for anything. I have in my file drawer my DD-214. It's not perfect but it's mine. Sadly, it is not one from 20 plus years of service.
Thank you for all your service SFC. Take care of yourself.
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FA Nate Russell
Pvt Frieda Goldstein - I'm pretty sure it's just discharge paperwork. I wasn't PSD so I couldn't give the perfect definition.
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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.” While you are in basic training, you are considered active duty. There’s no gray area. Now, To qualify for some benefits, you need to have served for at least 180 days, but as long as your discharge was other than dishonorable, there is no gray area, according to the law. You may also be eligible for VA health care benefits as your injuries were a result if military service. Go check with your local VA medical center’s eligibility office.
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