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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The reserves are crucial to our military's ability to fight wars thus they are all veterans. I deployed to Iraq twice but I know I do not have the same experience as an active duty aircraft mech compared to my brother who was reserve Marine infantry for the invasion of Iraq and a close air support pilot 7 years later in Afghanistan. I would say cambat arms troops had a tougher job then us but our life was not without risk. I respect all who put on the uniform and sware an oath to potentially give their lives in defense of our grand Republic. Semper Fi.
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All military personnel are legal veterans after 180 days of service. Veterans who have served in combat are entitled to many military and VA benefits others aren't but you should not deny veteran status to someone who didn't deploy. Some people never got the opportunity.
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Not clear on the intent of the question. Some Soldiers (used generically for service members) are 'deployed' to CONUS assignments, some to OCONUS assignments not engaged in current operations, but for training. Cold War Soldiers sat on DMZs and along the Iron Curtain as an armed and ready deterrent (11th ACR as an example). A deployment into the areas where the SSI (right shoulder patch) is awarded is like a lottery; my thought is honorably discharged veterans are veterans.
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MCPO Roger Collins
COL A Ferguson - The VA definition has been posted and other legitimate definitions have been posted, yet we get all sorts of opinions what a veteran is. When in doubt, apply for your earned VA benefits, they will let you know, eventually.
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COL Ardis Ferguson
I knew that, was stirring the pot a bit to see what was out there. In my job, I interact with Army Reserve and Regular Army Soldiers regularly and its interesting to listen to their comments at the grassroots level. Despite the comment you make on 'the book definition', there are many controversies and conversations surrounding this topic and this one captured my interest.
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Think it boils down to what kind of discharge you have from the service.......wouldn't think a person that was dishonorably discharged should have a veteran status....
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Suspended Profile
No, 1 day 1 week or 20 years. A vet is a vet.
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I am a 22 year veteran and have deployed. However, all service is service. Support troops are a critical part of our military. Marginalizing their honorable service is wrong in my opinion.
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Hey Sir,
You can have one of the many years I deployed down range. I just want that year of my life back. My father spent 28 years as a fighter pilot from 1975-2003, and never went to war. He was on staff for desert storm, Afghanistan was really small at first. I dont think his service is any less than mine. In fact I look back and wonder how it is I have a perfect attendance record for every shit conflict we have been in for the last 21 years. From Bosnia to OIR and every operstion since then. I consider myself unlucky. Trust me when the Army pulls your card, you will go. If they don't, you were still ready to go. Veterans are all who said "I will so my family and neighbors don't have to". Be proud of that.
You can have one of the many years I deployed down range. I just want that year of my life back. My father spent 28 years as a fighter pilot from 1975-2003, and never went to war. He was on staff for desert storm, Afghanistan was really small at first. I dont think his service is any less than mine. In fact I look back and wonder how it is I have a perfect attendance record for every shit conflict we have been in for the last 21 years. From Bosnia to OIR and every operstion since then. I consider myself unlucky. Trust me when the Army pulls your card, you will go. If they don't, you were still ready to go. Veterans are all who said "I will so my family and neighbors don't have to". Be proud of that.
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"A Veteran is someone who at one point in their life mase a check payable to The United States Of America for the amount of up to and including My Life" Anyone who tells you different can shut the hell up. I served 21 years from Freedom's frontier at the Tri Zonal Boarder in Germany, in Korea, Turkey, had the oprotunity to fly in an AC 130 over Bosnia and many more places around the world Every time I was called I answered and went where I was told. I am an American Veteran ......period. AIRBORNE!
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