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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I always said "The only stupid question is the one never ask", but now I have to retract my statement Sir!!!
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i am viet nam era seved 1974 to 1976 i get my bennies and my pension i earned it
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When I joined the Army in Jun 1962 we were not at war. I believe it was Jul 1964 that was established as the start of the Vietnam war, but that was not established until after Jun 1965. When I ets'd on 08 Jun 1965, I had no medals and no veteran status. When I went to work for U.S. Civil Service I was a non-vet with no veteran preference. I joined the Air National Guard and when the U.S. officially recognized the start of the Vietnam war I received the NDSM and my civil service status was changed from non-vet to veteran with 5 point veteran preference. I continued my service in the Air National Guard, but was never mobilized. I changed to the Army Guard, served 2 years and no mobilization. I changed to the Army Reserve and served from 1976-1993 and still no mobilization. In Jun 1993 I was rif'd to the Retired Reserve, never mobilized very few reserve or NG were ever mobilized back then. But we were in the military and subject to mobilization! The end of the draft spelled the end of the reserves being held back, now all resources being used, and with the rif to pre WW II levels we could no longer hold back. So Clod War Veterans are just that Veterans.
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I have never been deployed! I do wear a medal that only an elite few have the honor of wearing, the WWII Army of Occupation Medal. So my question is "Seeing that I have never been deployed am I considered a Veteran?" VFW (Veterans of Foriegn Wars) says that I am eligible to join their organization. I am retired and the VA (Veterans Administration) says I am eligible for benefits. I agree with all above!
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I was on leave before my unit deployed and a drink guy pulled out imprint of me and I broke both my legs are tore alot of stuff up in my body including my hip and femur was out back together I missed to deployment got forced out on a med board they wouldnt let me fight the med board so i do not consider myself a vet I only spent 3 1/2 out of my 4 years in
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If you took the oath, you go where they tell you to go and do what they tell you to do. I have the Combat Action Ribbon, but if you took the oath and honored it, you are a veteran and my comrade.
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Just might want to contemplate those Cold Warriors, who often flew hazardous missions along the SovCom/ChiCom borders (or patrolled, ThanX! my navy brethren). Or those who served in some South American Hellhole against the Narco-guerillas. Or spent some very cold years in McMurdo, Thule, or along the DEW line. Don't get too full of yourselves, there are generations before you, who didn't "deploy" We lived there.
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