If you receive a bad conduct discharge, can you call yourself a veteran?

SSG Gordon Hill — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 12:07:36 -0500

I have heard a former soldier who received a bad conduct discharge is claiming they are a veteran, can they do that or is that a form of stolen valor?

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jan 11 at 2020 12:12 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 12:12:13 -0500

Why are so many concerned with what a shitbag says. This person with a BCD will never be able to meet the threshold of Stolen Valor.

Response by SSG Gordon Hill made Jan 11 at 2020 12:21 PM

SSG Gordon Hill — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 12:21:00 -0500

I am just asking because this ex-soldier passed away and was given veteran honors and a flag at his funeral and I know he rep the bad conduct discharge because I was there when received it.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 11 at 2020 4:25 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 16:25:49 -0500

Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.”

Response by SSG Gordon Hill made Jan 11 at 2020 5:26 PM

SSG Gordon Hill — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 17:26:40 -0500

The soldier didn’t complete there initial contract of 8 years and didn’t complete the first part at all and received a BCD can he call himself a veteran, they had no benefits to rely on or education benefits and made no appeal to overturn the BCD.

Response by SSG Gordon Hill made Feb 8 at 2020 11:32 AM

SSG Gordon Hill — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 11:32:25 -0500

I would like to address the question again if service member receives a BCD can they call themselves a Veteran.

Response by PO3 Edward Riddle made Dec 27 at 2021 10:09 PM

PO3 Edward Riddle — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 22:09:10 -0500

I wouldn't do it. Of course, that's just me.