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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Soldiers that serve do exactly that, SERVE. When you're finished serving you become a Veteran. Combat has nothing to do with being a Veteran, having signed the dotted line, taking the oath, doing your time (hopefully honorably), these accomplishments make you a Veteran. Let me ask one question, if you are a civilian, that never served in the military, living in in Afganastan in a combat zone, never fired a shot, are you a veteran?
Let's be grateful that our Brothers who supported the mission, were there or here, and were not placed in "harms way". I'm fortunate to call all that served our great nation...Brother. SPC David Hannaman :-))
Let's be grateful that our Brothers who supported the mission, were there or here, and were not placed in "harms way". I'm fortunate to call all that served our great nation...Brother. SPC David Hannaman :-))
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SFC Ronald Burris
CW3 (Join to see) - You are a Veteran if You serve 180 days continuous active duty.
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SPC (Join to see)
A reservists who completed basic and advance training just prior to their return were placed in basic unit training for the balance of their active duty. At Fort Knox, this basic unit training was used as a holding pattern until their discharge was ordered up and one return to their reserve or National Guard units. The Army was able to shave a few days off prior to 180 days. We still trained until that day we were given new orders. The military also were able to save some money, even if that was not very much money!
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SN Richard Simonetti
I remember when I got out of the Navy in 1962. Two other friends of mine asked me if I wanted to join the VFW which of course I was denied because I did not see any combat. The closest I came to anything was once when we were in Gitmo we were deployed to Santo Dimingo in the Dominican Republic as there was a civil war or something going on. Our mission was to keep outsiders out mainly Castro. Otherwise my enlistment was mainly uneventful. I was also denied entrence into the American Legion for the same reasons. Mind you this was 1962 and the Hunchos who were running these Veteran groups were World War Two and Korean Vets who were still in their 30's and 40's and looked down on others who were not combat vets. Yes, I can understand their feelings. But as time went by things began to change as their membership began to die off and their numbers dwindled. One night years later me and my same buds that were denied went to a Dance with our wives at this VFW. We got into a talk with the Post Commander and he asked us to join. We told him we were denied years ago and why. He said very apologetic just bring your papers in and don't sweat it. I did end up joining the American Legion. I guess there always be an issue over this! To me if you served Honorably you should be accepted into the VA and yes you are a Veteran!
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I have yet to down vote, I came close enough to get the warning message on this one.
In short I'll simply piggy back on the words of CSM Uhlig. "HELL YEA"...those Unquestionable Veterans help to make up the Less than 1% who can call one another veterans.
You should consider apologizing to your "friends" who stand up....99% of a great nation can't.............. "standup". To be counted.
In short I'll simply piggy back on the words of CSM Uhlig. "HELL YEA"...those Unquestionable Veterans help to make up the Less than 1% who can call one another veterans.
You should consider apologizing to your "friends" who stand up....99% of a great nation can't.............. "standup". To be counted.
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LTC (Join to see)
...and for all the sister services who deploy in a war zone and never fire a shot, We are all grateful to you if you are on ships at sea or bases outside the area considered hostile and not eligible for imminent danger pay. I recall a friend who was on the USS Enterprise decades ago and he showed all of those who were killed by lines snapping on the deck or those killed in machinery mishaps. The legacy books from those tours are the testament of those who did not make it back from what was supposed to be a safe tour. We lose too many to accidents and such and they should not be forgotten! They are veterans too!
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What about those like me, who went to a combat zone, but never were in combat? No those that served are veterans regardless of where Uncle Sam did or didn't send them.
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
SSgt (Join to see) You are right and you ARE a Veteran, and thank you for your service.
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This is crazy! YOU ARE A VETERAN! The only other identifier would be whether you are a "Combat" Veteran or not. Who cares, you served your country with honor and distinction! Be proud of that. There are WAY to many folks out there that try to belittle what we did because they did not want or been able to be accepted into 'the brotherhood'. Why do you think people steal valor? Because they couldn't earn it like all of us did!
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PO2 Gerry Roberson Sr.
If it wasn't illegal, I'd beat them up! Immoral and unethical, up for debate. The impersonators, that is.
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Under federal law, a veteran is any person who served honorably on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. Discharges marked “general and under honorable conditions” also qualify. Mar 16, 2013
Bottom line if you have a DD-214 and did not receive a "Less than Honorable or Dishonorable Discharge" you qualify as a veteran.
For a Reservist or the National Guard, that means having been called to active duty that was not for training purposes as in Basic Training, AIT, NCOES or other courses, Battle Assembly (MUTAS / Monthly Drills) and Annual Training. I have three DD-214s; one from the active Army, two from the Army Reserves, one for being mobilized in support of Desert Storm and another for mobilization and deployment to Iraq. Any of which qualifies me of being a veteran.
Bottom line if you have a DD-214 and did not receive a "Less than Honorable or Dishonorable Discharge" you qualify as a veteran.
For a Reservist or the National Guard, that means having been called to active duty that was not for training purposes as in Basic Training, AIT, NCOES or other courses, Battle Assembly (MUTAS / Monthly Drills) and Annual Training. I have three DD-214s; one from the active Army, two from the Army Reserves, one for being mobilized in support of Desert Storm and another for mobilization and deployment to Iraq. Any of which qualifies me of being a veteran.
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MAJ George Huley
How about the Officer/NCO/Soldier who volunteered to go and told "no" who then is compared to the Officer who deployed during Dessert Storm and fought to get out of it but now proudly displays the Bronze Star on their licence plate!
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SPC David Hannaman
Oh boy, this again.
Do you realize that this very question disrespects every single service member who faithfully performed their duties AS ASSIGNED during times of war? So, because I was in the Navy, on an Air Force base and then a ship during the first Gulf War, doing what I was told, COMPLETELY READY AND WILLING to allow the government to cash MY blank check (that every single SM signs), you're going to tell me that I'm somehow less?
No. Your question is insulting.
Oh boy, this again.
Do you realize that this very question disrespects every single service member who faithfully performed their duties AS ASSIGNED during times of war? So, because I was in the Navy, on an Air Force base and then a ship during the first Gulf War, doing what I was told, COMPLETELY READY AND WILLING to allow the government to cash MY blank check (that every single SM signs), you're going to tell me that I'm somehow less?
No. Your question is insulting.
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MSgt Peter Castine
Yes, this question is insulting. I served 20 years from Vietnam thru Desert Storm. I worked nuclear and conventional weapons so never stepped foot in a combat zone. But I did support the efforts by supplying quality munitions to those efforts. I volunteered to serve our country, took the oath and signed the blank check. I was ready and willing to go if so ordered. That doesn't make me any less a veteran than those that did go. 12 of my men served in Saudi Arabia in 1991 during Desert Storm. A lot of people here mention Vietnam and the Gulf War. Let's not forget, Lebanon/Grenada and Panama. Federal Law lists veterans as those that are honorably or medically discharged and served at least 180 days
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I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed.
I will translate this SPC David Hannaman it means, I am willing to lay down my life to protect a set of values and ideas that form our Nation, I will willingly take another persons life for those same reasons. I believe is this set of values so much that I am will to fight for it in any capacity needed.
The fact that you even asked such an assassin question shows that you dont get it.
To answer your question, they damned sure do have the right to stand up and be recognized as Veterans, not seeing combat in no way lessons the degree of service of a vet. Your statement is disgraceful and one of the most disrespectful things I have seen on RP. I have to question why you are even a member on RP as a VETERAN if you feel that way. shame on you
I will translate this SPC David Hannaman it means, I am willing to lay down my life to protect a set of values and ideas that form our Nation, I will willingly take another persons life for those same reasons. I believe is this set of values so much that I am will to fight for it in any capacity needed.
The fact that you even asked such an assassin question shows that you dont get it.
To answer your question, they damned sure do have the right to stand up and be recognized as Veterans, not seeing combat in no way lessons the degree of service of a vet. Your statement is disgraceful and one of the most disrespectful things I have seen on RP. I have to question why you are even a member on RP as a VETERAN if you feel that way. shame on you
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I believe that combat gives better experience but since you have no clue when the balloon is going up just signing up is an action that 99% of your fellow Americans will not take. That alone makes us all brothers IMO. I would add that we are seeing so many different attacks on our benefit structure and retirement that we need to stay together as best we can and not let us become divided by semantics. This is a club you can't buy or lie or cheat your way into and once in you are a member for life. It is a fraternity of svc that none but we can know. It's what makes the dog faces of WW2 and the Lance Cpl in Afghanistan brothers in arms and bound for life. It is this esprit d corps that stands the test of time. And allows us to rain down on the enemies of freedom with a swift and righteous hand of American doom. and I am proud to call all who have served my family. Let's not ever let anything get in the way of that bond of brotherhood.
Bayonet!
Bayonet!
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