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

Yes I believe you are a veteran. If you were discharged for medical reasons then you are probably entitled to VA benefits. If not, then you might not be. I am a reservist and have only served a little over a year of active duty (1 deployment and basic course) I was told by the VA I get 5 years of benefits, unless I serve another year on active duty. Then I get lifetime benefits.

I've answered this question once before and I've thought it about it a little since more since. As far as I know there is no draft and so you must have enlisted od your own accord. Being discharged honorably, even as you say through the manipulations of parents doesn't make you any less a veteran than anyone else who has served long enough to be considered so. During the time you were in I assume you followed orders and had you been deployed I'd like to think you would have gone where you were ordered to go. You were discharged honorably and you're a veteran. Shake it off, look people in the eye and be proud of the decision you made and if you have to be embarrassed for one be embarrassed for those who went behind your back and made decisions for you. You're asking to much of yourself and not enough of them.

As long as you served in combat, you are a veteran--regardless of your discharge classification.

You served pup. regardless of the length. We are at war anyone with the balls to volunteer to do what we do has earned that much.

Regardless of your discharge your a vet, pup. For what ever reason including legal issues- you did your boot time & then did some - like others posted, you served.

Your 8 months served is 8 months more than most Americans do. For that matter, it's more than a large percentage of IET Soldiers do. If you did not get out for disciplinary reasons then I would personally consider you a veteran.

Is someone telling you that you are not a veteran?

As long as you completed basic training and have an honorable you are a veteran. Now saying that you may not get all the same benefits like the GI Bill or Vocrehab. You still have access to scholarships, American Legion, and more. Also due to the change in the laws Make sure you go to your nearest VA Medical Center and register with them and get your VA ID Card. This can be done by bringing in your picture ID and your DD-214 member copy 4.

No. 18 months minimum is need to qualify as a veteran.

Were you awarded an MOS? Did you serve in that or any MOS? Training to be a Soldier don't make you one!