Posted on May 6, 2014
Should veteran status be reserved for those who have deployed?
221K
3.94K
1K
430
429
1
This one has come up a lot in conversations with my peers and Soldiers: Should you be allowed to claim veterans status if you have never deployed?
Personally, I'm an ROTC graduate who chose to go straight into the ARNG in 2011, knowing full well that my chances to deploy would be next to none with the changing op tempo. Realistically, had I been actively searching out a deployment the whole time, I still may not have gotten one. I'm sure there are Soldiers out there who served honorably in a reserve component without deploying, despite their best efforts. So, for example, should a Soldier who completed basic training, had a clean service record, excelled in their peer group, but ultimately served 10 years as a reservist with no deployment and less than 180 days on non-ADT active service be prevented from calling themselves a veteran?
I have my own thoughts, but I'm more interesting in hearing your opinions. For clarification, I'm speaking more towards the legal definition of veterans status - even if the laws were changed here, there would still be an immense difference between a legal veteran and a legal veteran with several deployments, combat experience, decades on active duty, or a combination of all three.
Personally, I'm an ROTC graduate who chose to go straight into the ARNG in 2011, knowing full well that my chances to deploy would be next to none with the changing op tempo. Realistically, had I been actively searching out a deployment the whole time, I still may not have gotten one. I'm sure there are Soldiers out there who served honorably in a reserve component without deploying, despite their best efforts. So, for example, should a Soldier who completed basic training, had a clean service record, excelled in their peer group, but ultimately served 10 years as a reservist with no deployment and less than 180 days on non-ADT active service be prevented from calling themselves a veteran?
I have my own thoughts, but I'm more interesting in hearing your opinions. For clarification, I'm speaking more towards the legal definition of veterans status - even if the laws were changed here, there would still be an immense difference between a legal veteran and a legal veteran with several deployments, combat experience, decades on active duty, or a combination of all three.
Reserves
Army National Guard
Deployment
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 678
Suspended Profile
This "article" is a waste of time.
0
0
0
If you passed AIT, went to a unit deployed or not! You sir or madam are a veteran. But, what about the people who got dishonorable discharge, are they considered veterans?
(0)
(0)
SGT Sunny Lalingua
180 consecutive days of duty is required to be given veterans status.
in the case of your question, a veteran with a dishonorable discharge,
but still, a veteran.
in the case of your question, a veteran with a dishonorable discharge,
but still, a veteran.
(0)
(0)
CPL Anne (Karpinski) Pfeiffer
no you're not. My daughter came home after AIT cuz she decided the military was not for her and because of teh drawdown, they were basically just letting kids go home. She is not considered a Veteran and did not get any benefits. In addition, she was "in" for 11 months-- all of it basic and AIT, and wasn't even eligible to collect unemployment when she returned home.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Ask yourself this simple question " how many people didn't sign up and take the oath and how many couldn't even make it through basic ! I would much rather you watch my six than some scumbag that talked down on our military and didn't have the guts to serve ! Thanks for your service brother
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Who makes this stuff up?
IF you served and were discharged honorably...you're a veteran. Period. The title "Veteran" isn't just reserved for those who "did" but those who are/willing to "DO" for this country. My guess is that there are a great number of "non combat" veterans who if asked, would have gladly swapped spots or voluntarily deployed to CZ's.
Ridiculous...
IF you served and were discharged honorably...you're a veteran. Period. The title "Veteran" isn't just reserved for those who "did" but those who are/willing to "DO" for this country. My guess is that there are a great number of "non combat" veterans who if asked, would have gladly swapped spots or voluntarily deployed to CZ's.
Ridiculous...
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
This is an easy one. There are veterans and there are combat veterans. But they're both veterans! I'm an Army Retiree, Veteran and Combat Veteran. But when I meet other vets I don't care what type of Veteran they are. Anyone that thinks they above any other service member or Veteran should look twice at their service tape. It says U.S., us, brothers and sisters!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sir, I'm not sure there is a answerable question here. For myself it comes down to looking in the mirror and being able to not be ashamed of what I see. Some people will play it up and some will down play their experience. I don't want to take anything away from other veterans but most certainly some experiences are more relevant than others. Deployments are one of them but not the only one. At the end of the day what matters is if you or anyone can say (and mean it) "I served and acted with honor." If "yes" good 2 go, if "no", then don't devalue other veteran's service by claiming to be one. Have a good day Lt.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
In my books a veteran is described under Title 38 of the code of Federal Regulations which defines a veteran as "a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Sure let's categorize and separate into different groups. Then let's say the only true veteran is one who was in combat. Then let's say that unless you carried a rifle you're not a vet; leaving out artillery and motor transport. And if you were wounded by small arms and RPG fire you're the only true veteran; leaving out those wounded by IED's and artillery fire.
I feel I'm a Veteran and deserving of my PHM even though I didn't bleed a drop. I carry 70% disability just for my hearing loss. And in ways am more disabled than my friends who were shot. Is there anyone out there who wants to say I am not a Veteran? The Marine Corps retired me because of my various disabilities, and you now think that YOU can pass judgement?
Personally, I am offended and sick of this kind of BS. Why does one feel better about themselves only when they try to drag someone else down. Doing this doesn't elevate them one bit.
This is about this stuff, and NOT about the original Post.
I feel I'm a Veteran and deserving of my PHM even though I didn't bleed a drop. I carry 70% disability just for my hearing loss. And in ways am more disabled than my friends who were shot. Is there anyone out there who wants to say I am not a Veteran? The Marine Corps retired me because of my various disabilities, and you now think that YOU can pass judgement?
Personally, I am offended and sick of this kind of BS. Why does one feel better about themselves only when they try to drag someone else down. Doing this doesn't elevate them one bit.
This is about this stuff, and NOT about the original Post.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google