Posted on Nov 28, 2015
I served 8 months. Should I still be considered a veteran with a honorable discharge?
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Honorable Discharge
Honorable Discharge
Posted >1 y ago
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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)
In a nutshell: 180 days on active duty (outside of Basic Training and initial MOS school)
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SPC Christopher Perrien
TY, I always went went just 6 months in, but yea I forgot minus training so it is about 9-10 months. Seems like I remember something about that in relation to your GI Bill qualifications in the "Contract". You had to hit that date.
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LtCol Robert Quinter
I believe Active duty for training is a specific status pertinent to reserves and National Guard. Basic training counts toward the active duty requirements as a regular. May be wrong, but one of you active duty people could check it out.
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Cpl Robert Clark
Yes and no, Sir. Basic training and initial MOS school do not count for active duty members either. Many service members are fortunate that they have had at least a 2yr commitment.
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Wow! This is really a hot topic. It took me a while to read through all the responses this question generated. As I read through I noticed some of you are looking at what it means to be a veteran from a legal or administrative standpoint. On the other hand, some of you are looking at what it means to be a veteran from a perspective other than administrative/legal.
Tale of two veterans:
Veteran one is me. I was 17 when I enlisted in 1968. I served a little over a year and was discharged, under honorable conditions, because of a medical condition I developed as a result of my military service. Today I am retired and receiving a non-service connected disability pension from the VA.
Veteran two is a bus driver I met last year. He seen the veteran cap I was wearing and started talking about his military experience. Like me, he was 17 years old and served during the Vietnam war. Just after completing basic training he learned that his older brother, also enlisted, was killed in Vietnam. He was offed two options regarding his service. He could either stay in and continue on or he could take a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions (only surviving son). His CO told him, "Son, you're to young to die. Take the discharge." And so he did.
Should I be considered a veteran? According to the VA, yes. Should the bus driver I met be considered a veteran after completing basic training? According to the VA, no. According to Title 38 US Code, yes...maybe???
Title 38 US Code
§ 101. Definitions
For the purposes of this title—
(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.
The bigger question regrading who is to be considered a veteran is should we be using legal or moral standards? What do you think???
Tale of two veterans:
Veteran one is me. I was 17 when I enlisted in 1968. I served a little over a year and was discharged, under honorable conditions, because of a medical condition I developed as a result of my military service. Today I am retired and receiving a non-service connected disability pension from the VA.
Veteran two is a bus driver I met last year. He seen the veteran cap I was wearing and started talking about his military experience. Like me, he was 17 years old and served during the Vietnam war. Just after completing basic training he learned that his older brother, also enlisted, was killed in Vietnam. He was offed two options regarding his service. He could either stay in and continue on or he could take a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions (only surviving son). His CO told him, "Son, you're to young to die. Take the discharge." And so he did.
Should I be considered a veteran? According to the VA, yes. Should the bus driver I met be considered a veteran after completing basic training? According to the VA, no. According to Title 38 US Code, yes...maybe???
Title 38 US Code
§ 101. Definitions
For the purposes of this title—
(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.
The bigger question regrading who is to be considered a veteran is should we be using legal or moral standards? What do you think???
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SGT (Join to see)
I dk y its a no brainer! Yes. They should. A length length of service varie, For all of us. U could have barley gone to basic and A.I.T. IN 6 MO. DO A SINGLE DEPLOYMENT AND BE DISCHARGED DUE TO VARIOUS REASONS HONORABLE AND BE A VET. OR EVEN INJURED DURING TRAING AND END UR CAREER BECAUSE U became UNDEPLOYABLE. I SAW THIS EVERY DAY WILL BEING NCOIC OF IMPROCESSING AT FT. LEWIS. MEDICAL REASONS ARE #1 FOR NON DEPLOYMENT AND END OF SERVICE. ASK ANY PIOLET WHO CANT PASS FLIGHT PHYSICAL BECAUSE OF EYES. HEART, BLOOD PRESSURE, DIABETES!!
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Yes, Title 38 U.S. Code “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.
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SGT John Kerins
Everyone who met those criteria are veterans. But the was a minium length of service to be entitled to VA benefits. I'm pretty sure it was 90 days back in the 60's. Of course if you were injured or became ill during that time, then the injury or illness was service connected and covered. But for things like VA loans, educational benefits and such you had to have served 90 days.
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PVT (Join to see)
National Guard Basic and AIT did not count as active duty, but a 90-day maneuver or drill did. You are correct about the 60s
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You should have received some sort of discharge document that includes your discharge status (honorable, other then honorable..etc). I am curious how your parents were able to get you out of the contract
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PFC David Ryba
I think I might have the answer, Bill. Pvt Robert Humburg stated he was 17 when he enlisted. Because Pvt Humburg was still a minor he needed a parent or legal guardian's signature to enlist. Pvt Humburg also stated he had a step father. His step father would have been his legal guardian by marriage or adoption. If Pvt Humburg got his biological father to sign him in and did not have legal custody of the child, then Humburg's legal guardian could get him out because the biological father did not have legal custody over him.
Another good question, when a minor enters the service and their legal guardian signs them in, do they loose their parental rights? Does the military become their parent?
Another good question, when a minor enters the service and their legal guardian signs them in, do they loose their parental rights? Does the military become their parent?
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1SG Bill Wayne
Wont go into detail. Lets just say I know of a solider that came in under the wire by a few months or so. The detail is if at the time of notice he was of legal age to make the decision. when this soldiers issue was found out he was 17 and 1/2 so by the time his paperwork was completed he was 18 and selected to stay in. 20 years later he received his BA made CSM and just recently retire after serving 5 combat tours and distinguishing himself. All I can say is way to go Bro
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You went through basic. You would be considered a veteran. As long as it isn't a BCD, that is.
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If you served... and we're given an Honorable Discharge, then yes, you are a Veteran.
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If you have completed 180 days or more with an Honorable Discharge then yes you are a Veteran.
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