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 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 368
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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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The one point I make with Veterans that do not self-identify as a Veteran is they wore the uniform. Some were called to action in a conflict and some not. At any time they could have and there is no telling how the rest of their career would have gone. It was in many cases the fact that because many were sitting on the borders in Germany or South Korea that we did not have conflicts.
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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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From a 2x Afghan Vet, I say this: "They serve also who stand and wait." Let's come together, not squabble about who did what during their careers.
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SPC David Hannaman I have never been mobilized or served in theater. I begged to go at my first duty station. Signed up every chance I could, but often heard the same old line, "They just don't need your rate out there." Ten years later, I was the person preparing my fellow Sailors to be mobilized to Iraq, Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, etc. I was always so thankful that every person I helped prepare for mob, came back home again. I can't explain the exact feeling, but that moment when the ones that I personally helped stepped back into my office to demob, I was always glad to see their faces. My final group I missed out on were my Seabee brethren. I transferred before they demobed. Does that mean that my service is any less than theirs? Does that mean I am less than my brethren who did go to war? Not every veteran is a combat vet and not ever service member is a combat service member.
The most commen misconceptions I have seen are:
1) That every vet is a combat vet and if you are not then you are a disappointment.
2) That all vets/service members have PTSD. And anyone who actually does have PTSD has the most severe, violent kind; even if you don't.
Just my two cents on the matter.
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
The most commen misconceptions I have seen are:
1) That every vet is a combat vet and if you are not then you are a disappointment.
2) That all vets/service members have PTSD. And anyone who actually does have PTSD has the most severe, violent kind; even if you don't.
Just my two cents on the matter.
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
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SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" Livin' the dream! Loving life and all that good jazz. How is the family? I know I am sooooo ready for this all day food feast. Now that I have officially passed my PRT, bring on the turkey! We are gonna be celebrating with our military family this year and I plan on making cherrywood smoked bacon wrapped honey BBQ lil' smokies.......mmmmmmmmm Bacon.......
Or like Echo calls them, "Mine! Mine mine mine!!!"
Or like Echo calls them, "Mine! Mine mine mine!!!"
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SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" I can pass the PRT everyday. It is really not that hard. Plus I am a swimmer, so it is an easy day for me. lol ;)
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SP5 Joel O'Brien
My mother and her sister(my aunt) signed up for the WAVES the day after Pearl. They freed up two men to go fight. My dad was Army and spent much of his time stateside at Fort Yuma. His address could have changed at any moment. They all were vets.
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Absolutely! Unless you're unfortunate enough to be entering the service at the outbreak of war, you've really no idea of where the future will lead you...Even during war, the "needs of the service" may send you into harms way-or to the safest, most important, absolutely essential support function stateside. It's fate and chance to a point...personal choice and training to another. What unifies us, is the willingness to go when and where the American people send us and do our best. That makes one a veteran.
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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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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.
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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
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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.
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