I served 8 months. Should I still be considered a veteran with a honorable discharge?

To receive an honorable discharge, a service member must have received a rating from good to excellent for his or her service. Service members who meet or exceed the required standards of duty performance and personal conduct, and who complete their tours of duty, normally receive honorable discharges. However, one need not complete a term of service to receive an honorable discharge, provided the reason for involuntary discharge is not due to misconduct. For instance, service members rendered physically or psychologically incapable of performing assigned duties normally have their service characterized as honorable, regardless of whether they incurred the condition or disability in the line of duty, provided they otherwise met or exceeded standards. Similarly, service members selected for involuntary discharge due to a Reduction in Force (RIF) typically receive an honorable discharge, assuming their conduct while on active duty met or exceeded standards.

United States Marines must have a proficiency and conduct rating of 3.0/4.0 or higher to receive an honorable discharge

Doesn't anyone read this?
38 U.S.C. 4215(a) Veteran-Service in the active military, naval or air service and discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. The term "active" means - full-time duty in the Armed Forces, including National Guard or Reserve components, for other than active duty for training.

In a nutshell: 180 days on active duty (outside of Basic Training and initial MOS school)

Yes. If you served, you are a vet. I can't believe the number of ignorant service members who don't understand what constitutes a veteran. Some say you have to have deployed; some say you have to have served in combat; they are wrong. Sounds like some of the same attitude as the SFC on another thread who thinks that only those in combat arms are warriors and should be treated better than other service members. For the life of me, I don't understand where they are getting these misguided ideas because I never heard anything like this from anyone when I served; maybe some service members nowadays are just plain stupid. Bottom line, if you served, you are a veteran.

In some allied countries, Vet means having deployed on active service or UN Peacekeeping Operations.
Someone who enlisted and never deployed is an ex-serviceman/woman.
If you only finished rookies, then no, you are not a veteran.

Of course. Next question.

Only if you got an honorable discharge.

I read the summary that you posted on your profile, and you stated that you were a 14B, and that you found out at the airport of all places on you're way to Korea, that you're parents got you out of the service. How does that work?

BLUF: Yes. You raised your right hand and enlisted to serve. Things didn't work out the way you probably hoped but you still received your DD214 with an Honorable Discharge. Be proud that you had the courage to enlist. I live in a community where most folks have never even seen someone in uniform yet I'm constantly being told by someone about how they "almost did..." Fill in the blank with some nonsense. You did it and that's all that matters!

As others have stated, don't be a dirtbag and tell war-stories. If you've got some great stories from BCT and AIT, go for it. As for benefits, you definitely should speak to a counselor.

If you completed basic and AIT and got an Honerable discharge you are technically a veteran. But as was stated don't try to tell war stories about basic. But you did what many others did ot even try to do. You served or tried to. I thank you for what you did. As they told you check to see what benifits you are eligble for. May not be much but it don't hurt to check.

I consider you a brother in arms