Do you think someone who has never been in a combat has the right to call themselves a veteran?

This is a bizarre post/a bizarre question. You are making this too complicated and you are also cutting yourself short.

1. Anyone who served in the military is a Veteran. Combat or no combat, still a veteran.

2. You wear the patch of the unit to which you are assigned; it has nothing to do with what you believe you deserve or don't deserve.

3. Combat veterans are often referred to as 'combat veterans'. Some who were in combat simply refer to themselves as 'veterans' and others make a point of saying they were 'combat veterans' because they want people to know they served in a combat role. It's a personal choice, there is no 'right' or 'wrong' to this.

4. 'All you did' was fix helicopter engines? Is that how you see it? How are the air crews supposed to fly if there are no hangar rats working on the birds? You are looking at that all wrong. Just like the Remington Raider, you had a job to do and you did it, to the support of others. The fact that you turned wrenches instead of pounding on a typewriter sort of elevates you a little or a lot, depending on who is in the conversation but overall, again I ask- how were the birds supposed to fly if you were not seeing to it they were air worthy?

There seem to be a lot of people on this thread who are freaking out over this but really, now, it is all very simple- Anyone who served is a Veteran.

I appreciate the fact you believe 'combat' veterans deserve recognition for having served in combat but insofar as your question goes, it is a simple matter of understanding that ANYONE who served in the military is a VETERAN. EOS.

Regardless if the person has deployed to a combat zone, they still served their country and in tern are veterans when they leave the military. There are hundreds of positions in the military, each requiring a specific skill-set. All are equally important to the mission (ensuring the safety and security of our nation). Think about it, how many jobs have to be completed before you can complete your combat mission? Do you really think it is as simple as deploying to a combat zone? You need intelligence to be gathered, you need planning, you need transportation, you need ammunition, you need support, You need a mission, you need to be paid, you need your family to be taken care of, you need.. you need... you need... If even one of these isn't done, you cant complete your mission. Does it really matter if that particular job was done downrange? The military is like a giant clock, every piece has to be in sync for the time to be correct. Ie. Every job in the army has to work together for the mission to be completed successfully.

Deployments to Iraq: March 2003 - April 2004 / January 2008 - July 2008

There is a distinction with being a Veteran and a Combat Veteran. That distinction is normally made within our own ranks. Anyone who served honorably and received a DD214 has earned the title of Veteran, regardless of where there were ordered to serve.

I see a lot of people saying if you served then you're a veteran. Its situational dictated. If Pvt Duffy just sworn in and got put on suicide watch at AIT 181 days in and was discharged. He is not a vet.

They answered the call, that is what is being recognized. Not their ERB/ORB

All who sign up and honorably serve are veterans; some are combat veterans. Often one's choices greatly impact whether you'll see combat, such as going Infantry vs being a cook or re-upping vs not; but if there is no combat to be had or if the “needs of the military” means the service member does not get sent into combat, then it’s out of the service member's hands. Such was the case for me; I am a veteran, but not a combat veteran, and my ego is oaky with that.

And for those who think only "combat" = "veteran", who among you has the balls to say to the face of the Cold War veteran who, under the imminent threat of WWIII, trained and stood ready to fight the advance of the USSR & Warsaw Pact nations; manned Checkpoint Charlie; kept watch on the Fulda Gap; or—to this very day—keep an eye on Cuba at Guantanamo Bay and North Korea at the 38th Parallel, that they do not deserve to be called “veteran”? Let me know how that works out for ya.

In the end, even a cook signs their life on the line knowing they are entering into military service, and while in most cases--in recent history--that doesn’t expose that many people to the dangers of combat, but who’s to say what tomorrow may bring? Just because we haven’t had too many FOBs overrun, bases overrun, or the homeland invaded in the last several decades, doesn’t mean that it can’t or won't happen, and the salior out to sea or garrison soldier or soft-skill MOS guy is then thrust into battle. That’s what can happen when you sign your life on the dotted line for military service. THAT is why veterans are Veterans.

Anybody who signs that document these days are going to war and serve to complete the mission to win and they sign it willing to do whatever it takes even dying for you and every other American

Knew doctors an nurses in Nam who never left their hospital-hooch area, but I respect them; their still vets! I was in combat but "thank God", it was only for a couple of months! I was there, and did my duty. I'm proud what I did. I am a veteran! So are all the nurses an doctors and anyone who didn't carry a weapon, and It matters not where they served! POINT: Did you serve? Then your a veteran!!!

Yes, they do. As stated previously, the distinction is between veteran and combat veteran.

Aloha All, Yes to the question asked I served from 1977 to 1997, 3 years with the 82nd ABN DIV, 3 years with The Airborne Test Board and 14 years with 1st SFOD-D as a Parachute Rigger, Rigger Troop Operations NCO, Rigger Troop SGM and Support Squadron Operations SGM. Retired as a MSG from that position. The closest I got to a combat area was the day before the Somalia Operation. Out of my Shop I could only deploy 2 of my men to Desert Strom I, but all served 110% 24-7 to support the unit members that were down range. Anyone that served Honorably be it 4 years or 30 years but was not selected to be deployed is a Veteran to me. God Bless All Who Have Served and That Are Serving.