Posted on Nov 16, 2015
Do you think someone who has never been in a combat has the right to call themselves a veteran?
220K
2.97K
643
38
20
18
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
0
0
0
I with you on your feelings. I always feel a little strange when someone thanks me for my service. Only because, it was never my intent to serve for admiration. But this is clear, being loving called a REMF by my infantry companions only proves that the service we provided is not only needed, but required to protect the lives of the soldiers that perform their duties on the front line.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I served during the eighties so there weren't any deployments back then. I sometimes don't feel like I did enough during my time AD. I now weekly visit the Veterans Nursing home near me and help with the local Homeless Veterans Stand Down. As Veterans we should never stop doing for other Veteran's or our communities.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
This is one question I think should never arise. Once you volunteer where you go, what you do, and what becomes of you is designed and determined by DOD, Congress and Presidency. So to me just lifting your hand to an oath as this...' a latent decision to one day go to work and never go home' is what makes you different and CRAZY in the eyes of rational people. It does not matter whether you were discharged from Basic or AIT due to medical reason...the fact remains you became a soldier right after you took a the oath...It's not after BT, AIT, Deployment or whatever... THE DIRECTION OF DOD IS WHAT BECOMES OF YOU...YOU ARE INDEED A VET.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The original question is trite but the distinction of being a vet and a combat vet is on your DD214. We all served and many in combat theatres without holding a weapon. I have a high regard for anyone who served. It is only your personal character and actions belittling others that were not combat vets that would degrade that.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
First, it's a Shoulder Sleeve Insignia - Former Wartime Service. Combat patch is somewhat of a misnomer for it since it only shows that you served in a combat zone. Wear it with pride to show who you served with and supported. Individual awards are what is actually earned in combat. I hate hearing soldiers they they didn't earn something. As for being a veteran, I know several people that completed military careers and never got deployed. They are veterans, no doubt about it. They don't have the combat zone experience but they are veterans.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The minute you sign on the Dotted line you are a Vet. Your ass belongs to Uncle Sam and he can do with you what he will. That is the responsibility of a Soldier(sorry guys but all inclusive) I knew a couple of people that never made it out of Basic because of Medical Issues. There Bodies broke down with a quickness and they got put out. There is a difference between Combat Vet and Vet. Doesn't mean a damn thing to the Civilian World. It's a distinction that is for us alone. A way to distinguish among ourselves, if you will. But no matter what, if you have a DD-214, you are a VET! Be proud of your service because whether you were "back home" while others went overseas or in the thick of it, you had a mission.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
All who took the oath, served with honor, sacrificed self interests, time, blood, sweat and tears, missed holidays with family, birthdays of kids, considered eating and sleeping a cherished moment is a Veteran. Their service and dedication to the history, hope and heritage of our great Nation makes them a Veteran. Manning their station or post, standing watch and always ready for whatever may come makes them a Veteran. Representing and proudly carrying Old Glory with honor and respect throughout this unpredictable world makes them a Veteran. Those who were in active and war torn areas we called a "Policing Actions", "Show of Strength" or "Unified Operations" are Veterans. All are Veterans, yet not all Veterans have fired upon the enemy. But our enemy stands at a distance today because of our Veterans. I am proud to have served and honored to be known as a US military Veteran. And Thank You fellow Veterans for your service to our Country.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
You joined, performed your job, managed to avoid pissing too many people off in the process and lived to tell about it. You are a veteran.
I talked to a Vietnam Veteran friend of mine (Sr Chief Master SGT) with 3x tours under his belt about my wanting to deploy and several other things. His response was,"We all have our jobs to do and we follow orders. It's like a sports team, not everyone is on the field but those on the field need the support of the coaching staff, trainers, equipment managers all the way down to bus drivers and landscaping crew. You filled your role as you were meant to and you did it well; there's no shame in that nor is there reason to discount your service."
I talked to a Vietnam Veteran friend of mine (Sr Chief Master SGT) with 3x tours under his belt about my wanting to deploy and several other things. His response was,"We all have our jobs to do and we follow orders. It's like a sports team, not everyone is on the field but those on the field need the support of the coaching staff, trainers, equipment managers all the way down to bus drivers and landscaping crew. You filled your role as you were meant to and you did it well; there's no shame in that nor is there reason to discount your service."
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Any one who serves in the Military deserves to be called a Veteran. However you also have those who are ERA veterans (like those who served in 69 or 70 but never in country) and those who are combat Veterans. If someone claims to be a Vietnam Vet but never served in country then they should correct themselves and say they are a Vietnam ERA Vet. Duty stations does not Determine your Veteran status
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I have to say SPC David Hanneman a Veteran is anyone who served in a branch of the military regardless of whether or not they seen combat. I agree that your family and friends have the right to stand when the question is asked, and you should too.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google