Posted on May 6, 2014
Should veteran status be reserved for those who have deployed?
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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
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This is something I've often wondered myself. I've volunteered for deployments and though I had 1's all the way on PULHES I still was not able to go because of available slots. I often feel upset when people tell me "Thank You for your service" because I know I haven't served the way I wanted to.
But this is a great question and I like the responses given.
But this is a great question and I like the responses given.
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We are ALL Veterans no matter where or when we Serve our Country . After all many a man and woman have been killed there first day in a combat area , died during training etc. We are all Brothers and Sisters and must support each other or others will take away our status with just a signature .
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I think there should be another level of veteran status (or whatever you want to call it). I myself served over a decade, but I did not deploy. I served from 1985-1995 and I never went to a "combat zone". I am considered a Vet, but I am not eleigible for any type of Veteran's Preference for hiring, or anything else. I gave up 10 years of my life for my country and went where they told me to go and did what they told me to do. I had no NJP and was honorably discharged, and yet I can't join the VFW, the AL, or get hiring preferences all because I never deployed. I spent nearly 4 years in West Germany defending the Fulda Gap in 3rd Armored Division during the Cold War and returned stateside in November 1990 (during Desert Storm) but my stateside unit did not deploy. I was in the Reserves from Dec 1990-Dec 1992 (going to 91C school (Army Nurse) at a civilian school paid for by Uncle Sam) and then retruned to Active Duty until 1995 when I got out. I feel like in certain instances that our service is cheapened by the fact that we did not deploy. After all, it's not MY fault we weren't at WAR while I was serving or the unit I was in didn't deploy. Just my Two Cents.
In addition-- the Cold War was just that-- It was a WAR, but with no fighting. and anyone who thinks being in Europe during the Cold War was easy, then they must have been at 1st PERSCOM! Because they certainly weren't in 3AD, 8ID, or any of the other divisions assigned to West Germany to defend the Fulda Gap. They didn't live with monthly alerts, roll outs to the GAP or ARTEP, REFORGER, CARAVAN GUARD-- in addition to Gunnery at Graf & FTX Hohenfels, Wildflecken, or Baumholder! We were soldiers too and it was a stressful and hard job during that time!
In addition-- the Cold War was just that-- It was a WAR, but with no fighting. and anyone who thinks being in Europe during the Cold War was easy, then they must have been at 1st PERSCOM! Because they certainly weren't in 3AD, 8ID, or any of the other divisions assigned to West Germany to defend the Fulda Gap. They didn't live with monthly alerts, roll outs to the GAP or ARTEP, REFORGER, CARAVAN GUARD-- in addition to Gunnery at Graf & FTX Hohenfels, Wildflecken, or Baumholder! We were soldiers too and it was a stressful and hard job during that time!
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CPL Anne (Karpinski) Pfeiffer
SGT Sunny Lalingua - In addition, you shoudl learn a little. There is no Cold War Medal-- there is a Certificate-- which I have from HRC. and when you app;ly for a gov't job-- there is no VETERAN STATUS! there is DV 5%, DV 10% and widow or parent of a KIA service member. We still serve and I work with many civilians when I'm not teaching and it also sucks that because a person with no affiliation with the military whatsoever (who never served a day in their life) can get a priority because their child was KIA, but someone who served but never deployed at all gets NO PREF whatsoever. Beclieve me, I know the ins and outs of it as I used to work at CPAC. So why don't you go find out some info before you spoout off like you kow what you are talking about. Becaue theose are the THREE categories and plain old veteran gets nothing. I am not speaking for myself as I have a job, I am speaking for teh countless others who are denied all because they are not disabled in any way, or did not deploy.
Notice; ) PREF given to anyone who "just served"
FYI from the FEDERAL HIRING ACT:
You are a 0-point Preference eligible - no points are added to the passing score or rating of a veteran who is the only surviving child in a family in which the father or mother or one or more siblings: Served in the armed forces, and
Was killed, died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or is permanently 100 percent disabled or hospitalized on a continuing basis (and is not employed gainfully because of the disability or hospitalization), where
The death, status, or disability did not result from the intentional misconduct or willful neglect of the parent or sibling and was not incurred during a period of unauthorized absence.
You are a 5 point preference eligible if your active duty service meets any of the following:
For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, OR
Between August 2, 1990 and January 2, 1992, OR
For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955 and before October 15, 1976.
In a war, campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or between April 28, 1952 and July 1, 1955.
You are a 10 point preference eligible if you served at any time, and you:
have a service connected disability, OR
received a Purple Heart.
Notice; ) PREF given to anyone who "just served"
FYI from the FEDERAL HIRING ACT:
You are a 0-point Preference eligible - no points are added to the passing score or rating of a veteran who is the only surviving child in a family in which the father or mother or one or more siblings: Served in the armed forces, and
Was killed, died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or is permanently 100 percent disabled or hospitalized on a continuing basis (and is not employed gainfully because of the disability or hospitalization), where
The death, status, or disability did not result from the intentional misconduct or willful neglect of the parent or sibling and was not incurred during a period of unauthorized absence.
You are a 5 point preference eligible if your active duty service meets any of the following:
For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, OR
Between August 2, 1990 and January 2, 1992, OR
For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955 and before October 15, 1976.
In a war, campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or between April 28, 1952 and July 1, 1955.
You are a 10 point preference eligible if you served at any time, and you:
have a service connected disability, OR
received a Purple Heart.
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SGT Sunny Lalingua
well, i am a 10 point preference Vet with an 80% disability. but i don't recall being rude to you. I thought I was helping, guess not.
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SGT Sunny Lalingua
oh, and BTW, i wasn't pissed off at YOu, rather I was pissed off at what You wrote was as to how you were being treated.
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SGT Craig Northacker
SGT Sunny Lalingua - Great comments. By both of you. We all served - period. Supply clerks, finance and other admin soldiers all contribute to the operational success for the rest of our military. To denigrate anyone who has served, regardless of when and where, is irresponsible and egotistical. Traditionally it took between 7 and 10 soldiers in the rear to support the combat operations of 1 soldier in combat. For those who did not serve in wartime - they were the link passing on time-honored traditions and skills.
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As I have responded before to this question it is a RESOUNDING HELL NO..We all signed the same blank check to our country, in my view we are all veterans that have served our Country with honor and dedication and if you have a DD214 YOU ARE A VETERAN PERIOD. If any one tells you different , tell them to put it where the SUN DOES NOT SHINE.....
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Sgt Mark Birkholz
I was deployed to Japan, South Korea, Phillipines the 3 years I was overseas. I have my DD214 and was actually waiting to be called back after 9/11
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1LT(P) (Join to see) No, it for anyone who served honorably. Combat Veteran is what call those who have deployed. Then with the latter there are gray areas and disagreements based on where you went and what you did. So is based on regulation and policy, and some is based on personal opinion.
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VFW is reserved for those veterans who served in the military during a time of war on foreign soil. That makes you a combat veteran. If you served where there wasn't a war regardless of whose land you were standing on, you are a veteran. If you served more than 180 consecutive days on active duty you are a veteran by the standards of the military who hired you. End of question doubt, and deception.
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I have been on active duty since 2006. I enlisted during a time of war and have not experienced war. I serve in a support role and take great pride in serving my country and supporting other service members who are down range. As others stated, it is not my fault I haven't been deployed. I, like almost everyone else in my position, would jump at the chance to be forward. It is alarming that because I have not seen combat I might not be considered a veteran when I no longer wear my uniform. At least in some people's opinions. I agree there is a distinguishing line between a veteran and a combat veteran. To go any further than that would be insanity. As everyone else stated, this is only my opinion.
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All who served are vets, and the ones that deploy to combat zone are combat vets in my opinion, unless I'm wrong but it's what I been told....anyways we all VETS
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A veteran is a veteran is a veteran; anyone is liable to go anywhere anytime during their service. Some just get the rose pinned on them and go to war.
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