Can you call yourself a vet and get benefits if you don't complete basic training?

CPL Adam Schoenwald — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 12:58:56 -0400

I have an ex that went to basic the same time I did but she didn't finish. As the Mother of my child we keep in regular contact with one another despite the differences that we may have. She asked if she would be considered a Veteran and get Benefits since she did join the Army. I believe if I recall correctly she was given a General discharge for failure to adapt. I told her not only could she not call herself a Vet as she didn't even complete a month of Basic, but she didn't qualify for any benefits either. She was insistent that she was...Am I wrong?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 1:06 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:06:41 -0400

You're right. If she didn't complete Basic, no benefits or veterans' status would be conferred.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 3 at 2021 1:11 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:11:28 -0400

NO, six months

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 1:13 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:13:51 -0400

She is not a Vet nor is she entitled to any Benefits. A call to the Veterans Administration can clear this up. They will say NO to both ticket items.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 1:40 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:40:55 -0400

That's a big no go, she has to actually complete BCT.

She likely would have received an Uncharacterized discharge for not completing training, but a General or OTH depending on what happens is also not out of the question.

The only thing she could get, and this is if she submits a 215, is that she could receive the NDSM for serving 1 day during a time of war. That said, I know a guy who did it after he got booted from BCT. It did not go well for him when he used said medal to try and pick up girls at a bar. "War Hero" that he was, he failed to notice he was in a Vet Bar so... Shenanigans.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 2:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 14:52:16 -0400

Any VSO can set her straight.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 3:49 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 15:49:59 -0400

No.

Response by A1C Chris Pointer made Sep 3 at 2021 4:26 PM

A1C Chris Pointer — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 16:26:16 -0400

She can call herself a veteran if she wants and I’d consider her a veteran sure. I consider anyone that goes to basic a veteran.

Legally she would not be a veteran and she wouldn’t get any benefits.

Response by SFC Nicholas Young made Sep 3 at 2021 8:02 PM

SFC Nicholas Young — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 20:02:13 -0400

I'm not an expert on this so really I'm just speaking from my opinion. Personally, I don't think she is a veteran. In my book, if you don't deploy, you're not a veteran. There's nothing wrong with joining the military and never deploying, that's what most past service members have done but in my opinion, there's a line between those who just served and those who deployed. Both are good, just different categories of good. Anyway, enough of my little rant. As I said, I don't think she would qualify as a veteran or would be eligible for any VA benefits, but my best advice for her would be to contact a VA rep or VSO and get the official word. A post on the internet is far from official.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Sep 3 at 2021 8:16 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 20:16:32 -0400

Going to boot camp only means you were accepted for training. That in itself does not make a person a Veteran. Getting booted out before she completed training, nah, not a veteran. What benefits is she expecting to get?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Sep 3 at 2021 9:15 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 21:15:56 -0400

I can call myself whatever I want. Doesn't mean it is true.

Response by SGT Chris Padgett made Sep 5 at 2021 12:53 AM

SGT Chris Padgett — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 00:53:31 -0400

She can call herself what ever she wants, but she isn't getting any benefits from the VA.
I recently discovered that a lady I have working for me was in the Air Force for 2 years. When I submitted her name for a company wide Veterans recognition lunch this Veteran's Day she threw a fit. She said she's not a veteran. Her reasoning is that while she did serve in the Air Force for 2 years, she got out after she got pregnant and she didn't finish her contract. She has an honorable discharge, I have no beef over the why.
She won't have it, say's others deserve it more.

Response by CPL Adam Schoenwald made Sep 7 at 2021 10:40 AM

CPL Adam Schoenwald — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:40:39 -0400

Update: As suspected a simple call put through to the right people answered her question. Albeit a little bit of laughter and shock for thinking someone actually wanted to call themself a vet and claim benefits came from the person on the other side saying she didn't only qualify as a vet, but really wasn't a soldier either. MSG Private RallyPoint Member Thank you for the good advice.

Response by Ralph Howard made Jan 16 at 2022 12:27 AM

Ralph Howard — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 00:27:52 -0500

90 days..