Posted on Sep 3, 2021
Can you call yourself a vet and get benefits if you don't complete basic training?
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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?
Discharge
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Basic Training
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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.
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CPL Adam Schoenwald
Outstanding, I will have her do just that. Thank you again for your wise words of action.
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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.
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.
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CPL Adam Schoenwald
In all honestly I don't think she is looking for stolen valor, I think she was told by someone that she could and was convinced. I will definitely refer her to the Veterans Admin so they can point blank tell her what she can and can not be/do.
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You're right. If she didn't complete Basic, no benefits or veterans' status would be conferred.
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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 (Join to see) Thank you for the good advice.
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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.
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.
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