Posted on Nov 16, 2015
Do you think someone who has never been in a combat has the right to call themselves a veteran?
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Let me apologize in advance to the people who find this question insulting... I'm just wondering what other people who served viewpoint is.
I personally went many years before I broke down and got "Desert Storm" Veteran tags, and the "Veteran" identifier on my driver's license... I'm still not entirely convinced that I deserve the 101st patch on my right sleeve, for the most part all I did was fix helicopter engines in the sand.
I have a great friend that served in the Air Force, and never left CONUS.
I have a relative that served on Aircraft carriers before Vietnam.
Both proudly stand up when "Veteran's" are asked to at public gatherings, but I always feel strange standing up.
Legal definition of "veteran" aside (someone who served at least six months and received an honorable discharge). I'm wondering more about how those of us that served feel about the term.
When a civilian hears "Veteran" I get the impression that they think we all stormed the beaches at Normandy, and for the most part I was really bored, played Spades and Tetris on my Gameboy during Desert Storm.
Should someone who was in the military during the Vietnam conflict (but never in theater) be allowed "Vietnam Veteran" license plates?
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", TSgt Hunter Logan , CH (MAJ) William Beaver , COL Ted Mc
I personally went many years before I broke down and got "Desert Storm" Veteran tags, and the "Veteran" identifier on my driver's license... I'm still not entirely convinced that I deserve the 101st patch on my right sleeve, for the most part all I did was fix helicopter engines in the sand.
I have a great friend that served in the Air Force, and never left CONUS.
I have a relative that served on Aircraft carriers before Vietnam.
Both proudly stand up when "Veteran's" are asked to at public gatherings, but I always feel strange standing up.
Legal definition of "veteran" aside (someone who served at least six months and received an honorable discharge). I'm wondering more about how those of us that served feel about the term.
When a civilian hears "Veteran" I get the impression that they think we all stormed the beaches at Normandy, and for the most part I was really bored, played Spades and Tetris on my Gameboy during Desert Storm.
Should someone who was in the military during the Vietnam conflict (but never in theater) be allowed "Vietnam Veteran" license plates?
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", TSgt Hunter Logan , CH (MAJ) William Beaver , COL Ted Mc
Posted in these groups: 
Military service
Purple Heart
Military service Purple Heart
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 358
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You don't get to decide what you do in the military, and no one can dictate whether there will even be conflict while one is on Oath to the Constitution.
What makes a veteran is taking on the responsibility of being under orders that may lead you into harm's way.
I call Bullsh!t on this whole idea that only combat veterans can claim to be veterans.
What makes a veteran is taking on the responsibility of being under orders that may lead you into harm's way.
I call Bullsh!t on this whole idea that only combat veterans can claim to be veterans.
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SFC Greg Bruorton
Any servicemember, having served for six honorable months, is considered a veteran, regardless if he hadn't seen combat.
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Capt Walter Miller
I recently had an insight into this question. One of Sun Tzu's quotes, paraphrased, is that the acme of skill is not to fight and win one hundred battles. The acme of skill is to obtain your ends without fighting at all. For those of us who were in the Military while the USSR was the main enemy -- we did that. The USSR wanted no part of us. We obtained our end - the collapse of the USSR without engaging them at all. So we are not, many of us, combat veterans. We didn't have to be.
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LTC James McElreath
Cpt Walter M,
I was one of the soldiers that entered the Army in 1974 and was sent to Germany, did my 2 yr commitment and went home. I served my time saw no combat and was later called a Viet Nam Era Veteran? I never gave it a thought. I went back into the Army for another 6 yrs on AD and still no war that entire 8 yrs. I do believe I am a veteran. I went to Iraq as an Army Reservist and spent time rolling on convoys, helicopters, C130, and whatever else that moved to perform my job in Civil Affairs. I know I was in combat and know to this day that I am not any more a veteran than before when I was not in combat.
I was one of the soldiers that entered the Army in 1974 and was sent to Germany, did my 2 yr commitment and went home. I served my time saw no combat and was later called a Viet Nam Era Veteran? I never gave it a thought. I went back into the Army for another 6 yrs on AD and still no war that entire 8 yrs. I do believe I am a veteran. I went to Iraq as an Army Reservist and spent time rolling on convoys, helicopters, C130, and whatever else that moved to perform my job in Civil Affairs. I know I was in combat and know to this day that I am not any more a veteran than before when I was not in combat.
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SPC Mike Davis
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - I was required to take drivers test the other day. Asked if I wanted veteran on my license? What do I get if it is I asked. Nothing was the response. My response...No! I served and I know it. That is sufficient.
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Hell yeah they are Veterans! Look at the 99% of the fat A$$ Fu<{tards walking around our country that disqualify themselves from service and would in no way leave the comfort of sitting on their asses while squandering the benefits provided from everyone of us that busts our asses to provide them. Best thank your relatives that had the courage to stand up and serve SPC David Hannaman, and be as proud of them as I am.
edited to add:
I gotta edit this first sentence as many are not walking around, their 20 something year old lazy asses are rolling around in the rechargeable scooters parked in the front of the store while our Korean War and Vietnam Veterans that earned that Purple Heart are struggling to make it on the earnest living they are making from hard work!
In a bad way right now, really angry if you cannot tell!
edited to add:
I gotta edit this first sentence as many are not walking around, their 20 something year old lazy asses are rolling around in the rechargeable scooters parked in the front of the store while our Korean War and Vietnam Veterans that earned that Purple Heart are struggling to make it on the earnest living they are making from hard work!
In a bad way right now, really angry if you cannot tell!
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LTC James McElreath
CSM Michael U,
I thank you for your astute observation of the fine people that we had protect on the home front! There are a lot of good soldiers out there (men and women) that are doing their part to support those in the fight.
I thank you for your thoughts and would not wish them toned down what so ever! I would not except anything less from a CSM.
I thank you for your astute observation of the fine people that we had protect on the home front! There are a lot of good soldiers out there (men and women) that are doing their part to support those in the fight.
I thank you for your thoughts and would not wish them toned down what so ever! I would not except anything less from a CSM.
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We can't all be trigger pullers and see combat. Some of us have to refuel the vehicles that get the trigger pullers to combat, service the aircraft that provide their air support, cook the food that feeds the grunts, provide the medical care for when they get injured, etc. My grandfather was a WWII vet and didn't feel legit because he was "just a cook". The two best times of the day are chow and mail call when you're away, so without him there would have been some hungry guys. There's always going to be the competitive nature between MOSs of whose life sucks more, but in the end our goal is still the same. Win.
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MSgt John McGowan
Capt Chelsea Loungo. I agree with you. I supported aircraft for most of my career, went and pulled a long one in Thailand and TDY to Vietnam. Put 20 in and was in during the Cold War. Was on a flight line with over 40 loaded B52’s during the Berlin Wall face off. Crews in the bombers. Was at Homestead during Cuba failed invasion and there when they were released. I never look at myself as not a vet. More than glad to have served.
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LTC James McElreath
CPT Chelsea L,
I really enjoyed reading what you wanted expressed. But you are so right as it does take those in the rear doing their very important missions, so the war fighters could do their job! Very well said!!
I really enjoyed reading what you wanted expressed. But you are so right as it does take those in the rear doing their very important missions, so the war fighters could do their job! Very well said!!
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SPC Cesar Freytes
To all... please define combat in this new era. Is the assault in Somalia ( just an example ) in so called peace time not combat or is the infantryman eating steak in Bagram AFB during the heroic fight on terrorism with designer sunglasses combat . No insults intended.... We are all veterans even if you Air Force and Navy. 911 is not the big bang. Always feel proud of your service.
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