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

In my opinion, anyone who has served more than a day in their assigned unit, I would consider a veteran. I do have my categories of types of veterans: combat veterans, deployed veterans, and regular veterans. You should always be proud and stand-up. If you were a helicopter mechanic, you fixed the hell out of those birds. You personally made it possible for that aircraft to get off the ground to do its mission and bring its crew home alive. MOSs may rib one another but all jobs and actions are just as important as another.

Yes. The definition of who is a veteran is defined in Title 38 of the US Code (Federal Law). The relevant definition is as follows - USC 38 (2)The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. It is not a matter of personal opinion, but rather one of law.

only 1% of the nation has actually served, everyone who served whether in overseas operations or to get us there or supported deserve to be called veterans.

SPC David Hannaman
Military members serve where their branch posts them. If they don't see combat, that's nobody's fault. I wonder what the actual percentage of military members who have "boots on ground" combat experience is.

All my combat time was on a ship and I don't consider myself any less a vet because of that. Hell, the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association has very strict membership requirements and I meet them so I'm a member. Some of my brothers are Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Combat "V", Combat Action Ribbon, CIB, CAB, etc. recipients yet we're all equal brothers and sisters.

If you took the oath and served, you are a veteran. You were prepared to deploy, if ordered. While some have had the opportunity to volunteer for specific missions/deployments, most of the time you serve where you were ordered, peace-time or war-time.

The legal term means if you've served and did so under honorable conditions, you are a veteran. As for how I view myself and service, well lets just say while I'm a veteran, I hold the younger people in service today are more deserving of the title, than myself. True not everyone who spends time in uniform are exposed to the same dangers based upon duties and position not every Soldier is in a Combat Position, but not every Combative would want to be a Support Soldier. But those who serve honorably do earn the title Veteran. & Yes, I too feel awkward if standing as a Veteran in a Civilian gathering, I did my job & nothing deserving exceptional recognition.

I have a combat wounded license plate. I have veteran on my driver's license. I cut my hair in a high and tight because it's the only cut I know how to do and I'm too cheap to pay a barber. I dive for cover when low flying jets scream over, or fireworks go off around me.

I wear a big scruffy beard. I do not wear any military related insignia. I don't go out of my way to call attention to myself. I have the license plate because it's free for life. I have veteran on my license because the examiner was a veteran and put it there when I had to get my license activated after having the military non-expiration date on it due to extended overseas service. I wear the haircut because I do it myself. I pick myself up after diving for cover with a red face. I went, I did, I bled, but I lived.

I was part of a team. I didn't get to bring everyone home. They're the ones that should get the praise. They're the ones that deserve the respect. I did my part, but my part wasn't possible without all the help I had, and every member of that team is a veteran. That team deserves the credit.

So, I stand for my team mates that didn't get to come home and can't stand for themselves, when veterans are asked to identify themselves. I watch for other veterans who are down and out, and do what I can to help them. I don't judge them because they served in peace time or in the rear. They are veterans because they served. Combat didn't make me special; it made me messed up. Serving on the team made me a veteran.

First, are they a soldier, a marine, an airman or sailor. Do they do their uniform and job proud. Looking around I see many people around me wearing all kinds of Veteran bull who don't even appear to have served proudly

Veteran means you served. Peace time Military included.

Yes, anyone that has honorably served in the military, whether they served in conflict or in a time of total peace, have the right and privilege to call themselves a Veteran. We didn't choose the conditions we served in. The military placed each of us where we were stationed. Cudos to all who served in time of peace and in time of war. God bless you all for serving our country in whatever capacity.