Can I call myself a vet? I never completed training due to injuries during and before service.

There are multiple concepts of "veteran" but only a couple legal definitions. Those who have a day or more of active duty and are discharged with something other than dishonorable are the first. The second legal for VA purposes is the you've been trained and have been doing a real job for 180 days or more. The VA then has different thresholds depending how much burn time you have, but the first definition (Statute) governs the basic concept. Then there's the bell curve of MILs and exMILs on RP whose definition of a Vet is their opinion based on their experience or values of what counts and what doesn't. So you have the "You don't have a CAB so you're not a real Vet" types. You have the "You are a RE-4 and shouldn't have been in the first place, so you're not real" types. Some of the newer ones think the Cold War Era Vets aren't real Vets. Oh the list goes on. There's also the "You didn't go for the full ride and retire so you can just call yourself a lowercase vet and not a VET like I am." The official definition and the benefits based definition have been around for a long time. People argue it because they think it means something else more relevant to them. Funny thing. I spent several years going to war for summer vacations with no period exceeding 180 days. It wasn't until after college and the commission that I went over 180 days continuous and then obviously much more so the system didn't consider me a Vietnam Era Vet until then. However, I did have VA entitlement to medical for service connected as an ENL although I was still much too fresh to have any GI Bill benefit.

I think that the people who have their opinions on the relative aspect do so because they want to measure everyone else against themselves. I'll have to admit, a 32 year Vet like myself can get annoyed when a 3 day Vet starts talking way beyond (boasting) their 3 days worth. That becomes a statue vs Statute thing to many. I really don't need to ponder how much of a Vet I am. My body reminds me every day.

Don't think so. Almost like being "partially pregnant". Kudos for trying though and good luck.

Served over 180 days, then you are a Vet.

Do what you think is right, but don't get upset when an old veteran starts to doubt your reasons.

As someone that was sent home from MCRD San Diego for injuries, I still feel the Esprit de Corps I am proud to have been there and the discipline it taught me allowed me to get my Associates degree and have a great civilian career. I would never want to call myself a veteran, I may have raised my hand and sworn an oath, but that is a far cry from the sacrifices that people who have served their enlistments or who have deployed and been injured. As such I don't believe that you have right to call yourself a veteran.

According to the VA, I qualify for no benefits. I joined the Army in 1974 as a fresh faced 17 year old. I went to Basic Training in Ft. Polk La. 5 weeks in, I came down with pneumonia . When the docs found out I was a lifelong asthmatic, I was given a medical discharge so fast it made my head spin. I begged to stay in, but nothing doing. When I got back to my hometown, I walked into the local National Guard Armory and joined right up. 2 weeks later, I went through Basic Training and Armor AIT in Ft. Knox. My MOS was 19E M48/60 armor crewman. I eventually ended up as a 19E30 Commander. I got out 6 years later, and as a result of only doing training, I cannot legally call myself a veteran. I am Okay with that. I do not represent my self as anything. I was proud to go through the training. I was proud to have served in the Kansas National Guard.....This is why my profile says civilian......citizen soldier is a label I carry proudly.

I spent six months at Fort Benning and left with a back injury during airborne. I received an other than honorable discharge for injury existing prior to service. I do not consider myself a vet because I have not earned what vets have....I tried and failed so I would say unless you received a medical or honorable discharge you are not a vet

This is a tough question, and is often left to the individuals interpretation of a veteran. For example, some people think a veteran is only somebody who has deployed before. My personal opinion is if you have been in for 180, reported to a unit, then were later discharged for whatever reason; then yes you can consider yourself a veteran. Or at least completing Basic Training, since that is when your transformation from civilian to soldier is complete.

I wouldn't do it in front of any Vets that I know. But to answer your question, NO, you are not Veteran! You may receive some type of benefit from the VA, but you are not a Vet!

No way not a veteran.....VA says a person must complete a term of service in order to be eligible for most benefits u less they are injured and discharged for medical reasons.....