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 sined the same blank check as everyone else and Uncle Sam chose to not cash it. NOT my fault.
If someone wants to call me a non vet shame on you and your bigoted ideals.
I signed, I served, I was given an honorable discharge.
GMG3 Roger Gingras USN
If someone wants to call me a non vet shame on you and your bigoted ideals.
I signed, I served, I was given an honorable discharge.
GMG3 Roger Gingras USN
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With out the rear echelon, the combat vets would have had no pay, no ammo, no food, and the list goes on. All jobs serve a purpose in the big picture. If you served with honor, in whatever capacity, you are a vet. Period.
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Yes, of course. Many of you don't remember the Cold War where many never deployed but performed vital functions in support of those who did deploy. Also remember many who died or were injured while in training. Would you deny them veteran status just because they didn't have the opportunity to deploy?
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I have over 19 years in as a Reservist, have never deployed and I don't consider myself a veteran. My friends who have deployed say I am, I just don't feel it.
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I wouldn't, knowing, if i were active duty i would have only served 5 months! This goes back to YOUR perspective on things. Who gives what anybody says you know what you did for your country and thats all that matters.
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I served for 12 years. Just before Desert Storm I was received orders for Recruiter status. I can get a VA loan and my tanker ' s knees and back taken care of. I proudly call myself a vet, I make sure I say I did not see combat.
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We all perform a critical element to make it work we all have a mission together beat support for a unit on the battlefield or an individual but make sure you have enough food or rations support in the air at sea or on the ground we all had combat training we knew that we could be called to use it someday we're all critical to the mission
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A Veteran is a person whom has given their time away and have taken the time out from society, family, and career progresion to make ready when the time is there to support the combat or be the leading elments on the filling field. No matter if you have or not served in combat, because you are that blank bank check with no limit and is willing to sacrafice because the first step you did is U.S.M.C (U Singned that Mother fucking Contract). That is a veteran. I have served 18 years, 4 of those is usmc 0311 active duty, 1 year army mp, the rest is redervest time.
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That's already the case. For those that served in peace time and did not deploy there is no veteran's preference for employment. The veterans groups do not even want you.
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