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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Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 358
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If I read your post correct you have veterans who are members of the United States armed forces then you have combat veterans we are the ones deployed in support of a unit or battalion and to awnser your question if his 214 says that he was mobilized to a theater of operation yes he would be allowed the plates but if his 214 only has him serving but not in support or in a theater the he should be only allowed the veteran decal on his plates hope this helps to me some claiming combat and never been through what we have is the same as stolen valor as far as I'm concerned
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SGT Glenn E Moody
yes in the state of MA. you have to bring in your DD-214 to get your veteran plates and only can get a standard veteran plate or your branch of service plate. if it is not on your DD-214 you dont get it on your plates.
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Just because you were not deployed to a combat zone does not mean you are not a veteran. While I did deployed to the Middle East several times, prior to that I supported operations in Panama from the states. We work hard to support units in Panama. When enlisting we all have the potential to be in harms way whether peacetime or wartime service we are all veterans.
As for Vietnam Veteran plates, for someone that did not serve in the theater that seems odd. I know to get state issued Persian Gulf War plates I had to show proof that I served in the theater.
As for Vietnam Veteran plates, for someone that did not serve in the theater that seems odd. I know to get state issued Persian Gulf War plates I had to show proof that I served in the theater.
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I was always told once there were 3 types of veterans .
1. Veterans = people who served in the military but never deployed overseas .
2. War Veterans = people who deployed overseas but never saw combat .
3 . Combat Veterans = people who deployed overseas , and saw combat.
Now im not trying to say one is better than the other , I've got friends who have been to war zones and never left the wire . Its like any other business in life some one has to get out there and get their hands dirty , all the while we need other people to keep the lights on and supplies moving.
1. Veterans = people who served in the military but never deployed overseas .
2. War Veterans = people who deployed overseas but never saw combat .
3 . Combat Veterans = people who deployed overseas , and saw combat.
Now im not trying to say one is better than the other , I've got friends who have been to war zones and never left the wire . Its like any other business in life some one has to get out there and get their hands dirty , all the while we need other people to keep the lights on and supplies moving.
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If you put your life in the hands of your nation to keep them safe for whatever may occur, then I don't see why you would not be able to consider yourself a veteran.
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David, the entirety of this issue revolves around one word..."Semantics." Armies don't send every "body" downrange. Some have to serve in support rolls to ensure the tip of the spear gets what it needs. Do their efforts deserve any less recognition than that of the one in direct combat? So, we separate it via identification. I completed two tours in Vietnam. Therefore, I am a "Vietnam Veteran." My brother served on Navy submarines during the Vietnam conflict. He is therefore a "Vietnam-Era Veteran." Each roll is recognized by proper military service awards granted for the individual's efforts in their branch of service. When Veterans are asked to stand up, we both do so with pride ("Veterans" being an all-encompassing term). We each did our part and my brother should not be denigrated by being seen as less. Hope this helps to understand the difference in rolls that each play.
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You have all types of veterans combat and noncombat that is how I look at itif you were in country in a combat zone you are a veteran now if you did not deploy any were and stayed home you are a non-combat vet now remember we did fight a few little battles like Grenada how many of you remember that one and Somalia, panama then there is the cold war vet’s non-combat from 1945-1991 so what I am saying there are all types of vet’s
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You served in the military honorably (hopefully), you can call yourself a veteran even if you actually never saw combat. If you were assigned to the 101st, then you can wear the patch. If you took part in Desert Storm operations (combat, support, etc) then yes you can wear Desert Storm identifiers. Not everyone has the chance to see combat first hand. I was on an aircraft carrier that took part in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in 2010. We took part in Iraqi Freedom for 2 weeks and not sure if we were close enough to start the 30/60 day timer. Either way, I don't have either campaign medal but I do have both GWOT medals. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal required that I had to be in Afghanistan for 30 days consecutive or 60 days nonconsecutive.
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Late response, but saw this in my trending feed...
Personally, I am disgusted by such a question. I have several relatives; cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and even my dad...all served honorably in every branch of the military. True, some did not serve during a time of war, some did but didn't deploy, some did deploy and came home, and sadly some did deploy and paid for our freedom. A veteran is a veteran, doesn't matter if they got shot at by the enemy or not.
Lets take your question further...maybe people shouldn't be called a veteran unless they got injured in combat, or they went black on ammo. Or maybe you shouldn't call yoursefl a veteran unless someone died in your arms. Or maybe unless you shot and killed an enemy target. Do you see the ridiculousness of those statements? That's what I equate your question to.
Personally, I am disgusted by such a question. I have several relatives; cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and even my dad...all served honorably in every branch of the military. True, some did not serve during a time of war, some did but didn't deploy, some did deploy and came home, and sadly some did deploy and paid for our freedom. A veteran is a veteran, doesn't matter if they got shot at by the enemy or not.
Lets take your question further...maybe people shouldn't be called a veteran unless they got injured in combat, or they went black on ammo. Or maybe you shouldn't call yoursefl a veteran unless someone died in your arms. Or maybe unless you shot and killed an enemy target. Do you see the ridiculousness of those statements? That's what I equate your question to.
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SPC William Weedman
One of my best friends is a veteran of Desert Shield/Storm 101st Airborne and wears a Combat V on his Bronze Star for his actions. He has encouraged me to join the VFW although my combat was the DMZ of Korea (where we met prior to the Gulf War) I am proud to call myself a veteran and display a Veteran license plate; but I hesitate in joining the VFW even though my service in Korea makes me eligible.
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