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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Yes, they absolutely have the right to call themselves a veteran. There are veterans of foreign wars (VFW) and there are veterans who never deployed to the combat zone. Regardless of whether you deployed or not, you still did service to your country
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I was almost offered then I read the rest of you statement. I am a veteran and damn proud of it. Not everyone gets to go to combat even though my unit went when my mother passed away and when I got back I had to stay and run the rear S1. I had several opportunities and volunteered many time but my number was never taken. Some say its God way of taking care of us but who knows. But you my friend should not be embarrassed about standing up in public for what you did. It was your job and everyone has a job to do. Regardless to the advertising its not an Army of one its a whole lot bigger than that. Again I proudly call my self a veteran after almost 15 years if service and so should you.
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SGT Glenn E Moody
i do call myself a veteran i have it on my drivers lic. i was only in the National Guard i did my 6 years and got out as a pvt 2 thats only an E-2 but it was an Honorable Discharge like you my number was never called to go to combat i would have gone in a heartbeat
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1SG Randy Book
Combat does not make you a veteran, your willingness to lay down your life and actually serve does. 3 combat tours makes me a "combat" veteran, 26+ years honorable service makes me a "veteran".
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Personally i feel as though the title Veteran is a position of honor and I never refer to my self as that however I would not discourage others from calling me that. And i would never tell some one that has served that they haven't earned that title, even if they were nondeployable.
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SPC Robby Robinson
You are NOT a veteran. Brother, you are an active duty soldier. You have earned the honor of not only being a soldier, the day you leave the service you will have the honor of being referred to as a veteran. Be proud of who you are and what you are a part of, you are the best of the best America has to offer
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SPC Robby Robinson
My sentiments exactly. Merely taking the oath and signing your enlistment papers does not make someone a veteran. Those who washout of basic are generally given an ELS (Entry Level Separation) and deemed to have never served. Those who successfully complete basic and receive an honorable discharge when separating from service (Whether 6 months or 30 years) have earned the honor of being a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States
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Whether conscripted or voluntarily enlisted/commissioned, your swearing to defend the U.S. Constitution against ALL enemies foreign and domestic means you 'wrote a check' that Uncle Sam could 'cash' wherever and however he saw fit. The DD-214 is your 'receipt' saying you were willing to pay that ultimate price
and we all submitted to all the training and BS so as to be able to do that right alongside fellow SM's. Stand proud along with the relatively few willing to give their lives for our country and freedom.
and we all submitted to all the training and BS so as to be able to do that right alongside fellow SM's. Stand proud along with the relatively few willing to give their lives for our country and freedom.
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I can't resist a follow-up to my earlier comment.
I was privileged to be a cadet with the FL-91 AFJROTC at Oak Ridge HS, Orlando, FL, 1976-1978. The senior instructor was Lt Col Luther C. Cox. He spent 2 1/2 years as a POW at the camp featured in The Great Escape, and was there when it happened. That man was a true hero. He is the one who helped us understand that being part of the less than 1 percent of our population who willingly don the uniform is something in which to take pride. Be careful not to fall victim to the devices of the petty entitlists. Remember your training; united we succeed; divided we fall.
I was privileged to be a cadet with the FL-91 AFJROTC at Oak Ridge HS, Orlando, FL, 1976-1978. The senior instructor was Lt Col Luther C. Cox. He spent 2 1/2 years as a POW at the camp featured in The Great Escape, and was there when it happened. That man was a true hero. He is the one who helped us understand that being part of the less than 1 percent of our population who willingly don the uniform is something in which to take pride. Be careful not to fall victim to the devices of the petty entitlists. Remember your training; united we succeed; divided we fall.
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There was no conflict when I enlisted, the opportunity for combat was/is a matter of right place at right time. The contract is signed and oath pledged knowing the potential exists to go in harm's way. What more can be asked of a person? Why should that commitment be degraded based on factors beyond an individual's control?
Absolutely they are veterans.
Absolutely they are veterans.
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I served 10 yrs active duty in the US Air Force, but not once was my name called to go into combat. For the longest time I felt awkward identifying as a Veteran because I had never been in combat. That was until a retired Chief explained that because I had taken that oath, was on call 24/7/365, was willing to be sent anywhere at any time, and served faithfully, I was deserving of the title Veteran. And it's a title I wear with honor.
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SN Michael Coban
My brother your a vet... we had been in the military at a really hostile time... kids today have no idea Vietnam with no homecoming and drafted we volunteered do what ever commander and chief deemed necessary also remembering the last thing we needed as a country was a war so i was personally involved in what our country called skirmishes. I was asked not to wear uniform on civilian air lines to avoid the love from my own country getting spit on getting in fights just because i had short hair so if any of you new guys want to question my service and worry about what i don't deserve... i love all my brothers in arms have little difficulties with ungreatful arses we took the crap to get you on the yellow brick road dont forget.... Sorry if i sound angry fed up.....
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Are you kidding me?!? I served two enlistments. Both during the Cold War. In AIT, I was a Squad Leader. I was good enough (on my Evaluation) to re-enlist into Special Services the second time around. The only reason I had to get out of the Army, was beyond my control: a disability.
I served honorably, loyally, dutifully for three years and seven/eight months.
Am I a Veteran? I am not even going to answer that question. Am I a retiree, same thing.
I served honorably, loyally, dutifully for three years and seven/eight months.
Am I a Veteran? I am not even going to answer that question. Am I a retiree, same thing.
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Absolutely! I'm a nobody, but my 2 cents...
honorable service without having served in combat= veteran
honorable service having served in combat= combat veteran
I don't know. Seems that simple to me anyway. I key in more on the honorable service part. Thanks for serving for however long or in what capacity you served. Thanks!
honorable service without having served in combat= veteran
honorable service having served in combat= combat veteran
I don't know. Seems that simple to me anyway. I key in more on the honorable service part. Thanks for serving for however long or in what capacity you served. Thanks!
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