Is it right or wrong to feel awkward when people refer to you as "Veteran", when you don't have Veteran status?

SGT Jacob Yuhas — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:30:51 -0400

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2017 1:31 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:31:41 -0400

Because you are on active duty?

Response by CPO Nate S. made Mar 13 at 2017 1:41 PM

CPO Nate S. — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:41:55 -0400

SGT,

I am an ole USN Chief. In my opinion, as long as you continue to serve honorably, as a veteran myself you are my brother in arms always and as the song goes - "I'm proud to be an American and I'll stand by YOU to still today to defend this land". No worries!

You will grow into the word - veteran, but think of yourself as a Warrior 1st. Take care of the men and women assigned to your care and don't pretend to give a DAMN! GIVE A DAMN! The old adage is "Take care of those who take care of you!"

When you do hang up your uniform you will become my brother - veteran! Until them get the job done! That is your mission!

Blessing always,

Chief Szejniuk

Response by Sgt William Biggs made Mar 13 at 2017 1:42 PM

Sgt William Biggs — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:42:44 -0400

I used to just roll with it. You could take the time to explain it, but most civilians don't care. To them, service=veteran and there are only honorable or dishonorable discharges. Let them know you are done yet!

Response by MSG Steve Wiersgalla made Mar 13 at 2017 1:47 PM

MSG Steve Wiersgalla — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:47:10 -0400

Correct me if I am wrong but if you have been awarded a National Defense Ribbon you are classified as a veteran.
The civilian side of the house doesn't have an understanding of what qualifies as a veteran or servicemember.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Mar 13 at 2017 1:54 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:54:26 -0400

It really depends on who it is referring to you as a Veteran. The civilian population doesn't really have a full understanding of our culture. That's why Veteran's Day and Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day so often get mixed up by the civilian population.

The best course of action is to educate them to the difference. You may feel awkward having to explain it, but our culture is so tight knit that those looking in on the outside genuinely have no idea what the differences are.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Mar 13 at 2017 2:09 PM

LCpl Cody Collins — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 14:09:14 -0400

If you served active or reserves, your a veteran. If not, just remind them that you haven't enlisted.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Mar 13 at 2017 2:37 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 14:37:18 -0400

I did my time, did my combat time for myself and this country, if the VA wants to call me VET Ok then, I know deep down I'm hero in my daughters eyes and a veterans to all who I served with, and I drink one for all. If you join the service for college and scammed the military out of it for money and a one way ticket for college like 2 years or 3 years, well. I know you served but If you did go to combat your not a VET in my eyes. Sorry.

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Mar 13 at 2017 2:38 PM

PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 14:38:22 -0400

You serve/served with honor-YOU are my brother/sister

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2017 3:12 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 15:12:50 -0400

SGT Jacob Yuhas As a veteran, I sometimes feel awkward when someone thanks me for my service. I served when there was much hate directed toward the military and veterans, so the environment is much better today. Most of these folks mean well even if they do not know anything about the military. You can thank them and explain that you still serve or just thank them.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 13 at 2017 3:37 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 15:37:42 -0400

You should politely correct them in the least public way possible.

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Mar 13 at 2017 4:08 PM

SFC Andrew Miller — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 16:08:19 -0400

I'm assuming you are saying you don't have veteran status due to being National Guard? Every state has its own definition for "Veteran", but LCDR Private RallyPoint Member stated it perfectly in the other response where he quoted Title 38 of USC. Now they did just recently amend it to include those who have retired from reserve components with no active duty service as veterans as well.

Regardless of what Federal Code or your state statute says, it is how you feel about yourself that matters. If you have at least one day of Title 10 active duty that is not active duty for training (ADT) and were discharge under other than dishonorable conditions, then you are a veteran according to the feds.

That is merely a label and doesn't define who you are or what you contribute to the mission, the unit, the military, or the country as a whole. Take pride in your work and set the example. You can take the time to educate them if you like, but you will find yourself spending more time explaining the difference than you care to, to people that didn't really want to know the difference.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Mar 13 at 2017 6:05 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 18:05:03 -0400

An ARNG E-5? Brother, you ARE a Veteran. You're just not done yet.

Response by CPT Scott Sharon made Mar 13 at 2017 6:30 PM

CPT Scott Sharon — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 18:30:22 -0400

I don't think you should feel awkward at all. All that matters is that you served or are serving. It's great that people recognize and thank military veterans or members. It always makes me feel good when I see it. It has not always been that way.
When I returned from Vietnam in 1969 it was actually difficult to wear my uniform in public. I was called names such as "Baby Killer" by several young people.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Mar 13 at 2017 9:36 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 21:36:43 -0400

You took a sacred Oath, Brother,the same one I took over 50 years ago,believe me you do not have anything to feel awkward about,you have earned it!

Response by PO2 Joseph Forney made Mar 13 at 2017 9:52 PM

PO2 Joseph Forney — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 21:52:36 -0400

If you at any point committed your very life to your country by enlisting, you are a veteran. You don't have to retire to obtain that status.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 13 at 2017 11:43 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 23:43:31 -0400

SGT Jacob Yuhas That depends. We all feel differently about this I am sure. I am a very humble person, and I did what I did for 33 years because it mattered. That said, it is nice when folks say thank your, but I never looked for that, expected that, or ask for it. I can still remember, vividly, walking thru airports in uniform after 911 coming home or going... and feeling embarrassed when folks clapped or cheered... especially when they were large groups. Why, because I feel I was just a Soldier, one of many, doing my job... I appreciated it, but it embarrassed me too...

As for the Veteran... I would say the second you swear in and get an ID card, you are veteran.

There is a gray area, however, for those who don't make it through initial entry training...

So, I would say (my opinion) when you successfully complete BCT, Boot Camp, etc... You can call yourself a Veteran.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 12:12 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 12:12:42 -0400

Did you take an oath? Did you lace up your boots every day? Then you served and you are part of our elite family. Thank you for your service! :)

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 14 at 2017 12:33 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 12:33:18 -0400

I don't understand your question. What circumstances would exist to cause one to feel awkward about being referred to as a Veteran. As others have already posted, once you enlist and take the oath and complete your obligation to fulfil the contract you signed upon your enlistment you are considered a Veteran by any measure of the word I can imagine. What is the underlying difference in my statement that would cause one to feel one is not in reality a veteran?

Response by SPC David Sturdevant made Mar 15 at 2017 12:38 AM

SPC David Sturdevant — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 00:38:03 -0400

As an honorably discharged SP4 from the US Army I assumed I was a Veteran. I have some explaining to do apparently.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2017 11:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 11:43:54 -0400

I'd feel awkward as hell.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Mar 15 at 2017 5:30 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 17:30:49 -0400

If you just signed up you may feel this way because you think you haven't done anything to deserve the title. In my book if you stood before the American Flag and took the oath of enlistment you have done something that only 7% of the population in this country have done and that's you made a promise to lay your life on the line if necessary to protect your home/country from all enemies both foreign and domestic. Now if that isn't a veteran I don't know what is! Make us all proud young man!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2017 5:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 17:48:34 -0400

I think it is simple. If you have served, your a Veteren. If you have done combat time (I think atleast 31 days), you are a Combat Veteren.