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
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Responses: 358
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The whole premise of the question is insulting. I had two uncles in WWII, one was an ambulance driver in Europe from the D day landings to the end of the war and the other was a rifleman in the Pacific and ended up as a POW and Batan Death March survivor. Neither of them felt they had done enough to be called a true hero but each called their brother a hero. The whole idea that one person's service is somehow more real or deserving than another's is just stupid. You swear an oath and serve honorably and you're a Veteran. It's that simple. However, no one is forcing you to stand up at public gatherings. If you don't feel your service was worthy of respect or are somehow embarrassed, stay quietly seated. I for one am glad that most Americans will still acknowledge the service and sacrifice of those who volunteered and those who were drafted and met their country's call in peacetime and in war.
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I say absolutely yes. It takes a lot to your hand and give your life over to Uncle Sam. Once you do that, you have no say in where you go or what you do. I served 8 years and never deployed. And I tried. I spent the time before I enlisted mentally preparing for it. When I was sworn in I felt certain I'd end up in Iraq. They never sent me. But I certainly don't feel that my service should be discounted. I still had an important job to do stateside everyday. And in doing that I left the comfort of home. I left my family and friends behind. I missed so many milestones as my much younger brother grew up. And when I did manage to get leave to visit home my mother cried when it was time to go back.
So, yes. I am a veteran. I gave 8 years to my country. I was willing to risk my life, even though I was never asked to do so. I made a personal sacrifice and my family suffered. I certainly wish I had deployed, but it doesn't make me any less of a veteran. I am proud to be a veteran and I'm a bit insulted that you would imply that I shouldn't be.
So, yes. I am a veteran. I gave 8 years to my country. I was willing to risk my life, even though I was never asked to do so. I made a personal sacrifice and my family suffered. I certainly wish I had deployed, but it doesn't make me any less of a veteran. I am proud to be a veteran and I'm a bit insulted that you would imply that I shouldn't be.
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What so the people that did not GO to Afghanistand, Iraq (even once), Vietnam, (even once), WWII, Korea, THOSE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS are not vets? Then what are we? I was 'technically' in a zone (Korea), according to VFW regs, that makes me a veteran of a foreign war, I agree with Capt Walter Miller. If you signed up, and did your time, you are a vet. Thanks, rant over.
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SPC David Hannaman
Someone who served their country with honor.
When I wrote the original post I didn't know there was a true definition for veteran... SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" defined it for me.
When I wrote the original post I didn't know there was a true definition for veteran... SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" defined it for me.
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Veterans are those who served our Great Nation. However there is a distinction between Combat-Veteran and Armed Forces Veteran. That is why there are combat awards and certain uniform badges that differentiate Soldiers (ie: Combat Infantry/Combat Action badges). Those who served honorably during peacetime and wartime should both be honored for their service to our country. Those who wore the uniform are 1%ers, and are representative of the few who swore to protect our country from enemies both foreign and domestic. However, some were called to service in areas of much higher danger. No one gets to choose their exact path in a civilian career, and the same goes for military members. There are some who wish they had served in combat, and others who wish they hadn't. Standing up when Veterans are being honored is acceptable for anyone who served honorably and who loves their country enough to die for it.
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This is the most ridiculous, insulting question and has been asked multiple times by members of this group. Peoples service arrogance is beyond comprehension and makes me rather disappointed that I am a member of this group. I served honorably for 10 yrs 10 mos 28 days, ready willing and able to go where told when told. It's not up to me to decide when a war is fought.
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We all know those guys that did everything they could to dodge those deployments. No respect for those cowards
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This argument or distinction has been going on since... Probably the dawn of uniformed armies.
Here is my take on it:
If you raised your right hand, graduated BCT/AIT(whatever you other branches call it) followed on to your unit and served your country and contract. You're a veteran of our armed forces.
Further more if you served during a time of conflict for instance over the past 14 years. You're an OIF/OEF era veteran.
You are not though a veteran of OIF or OEF. Or I suppose now OIR.
Combat veteran is a differant classification entirely of veteran. Almost like a designator. Not better or worse than those who served but never put boots on ground. (Although if you're walking around as a senior leader today in the army, with nothing authorized on your right sleeve... There is a problem)
You could break it down further if you wished as far as combat veteran goes. Habar you been in a combat theater but only sat on the fob? Or have you actually engaged the enemy?
It's an endless measurement of.... Service we play. As long as someone isn't actually discrediting another service. It's all good.
Here is my take on it:
If you raised your right hand, graduated BCT/AIT(whatever you other branches call it) followed on to your unit and served your country and contract. You're a veteran of our armed forces.
Further more if you served during a time of conflict for instance over the past 14 years. You're an OIF/OEF era veteran.
You are not though a veteran of OIF or OEF. Or I suppose now OIR.
Combat veteran is a differant classification entirely of veteran. Almost like a designator. Not better or worse than those who served but never put boots on ground. (Although if you're walking around as a senior leader today in the army, with nothing authorized on your right sleeve... There is a problem)
You could break it down further if you wished as far as combat veteran goes. Habar you been in a combat theater but only sat on the fob? Or have you actually engaged the enemy?
It's an endless measurement of.... Service we play. As long as someone isn't actually discrediting another service. It's all good.
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No that is wrong. Everyone in any military service signed a dotted line to die for their country. You really need to think about this question and possibly delete it. Not every one had an opportunity. If it wasn't for the support element, your ass would be broke and hungry.
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Yes they are a vet. Now there are vets and combat vets. Now the example veterans to stand up at a public event then if your a vet if you have been in the military you should stand you are a veteran you raised your hand with the rest of us.
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