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 definition of a Veteran is a person who has served in the military. Enough Said!
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Well, let's wee. I spent 14 years 8 months and a day on active duty. Another 8 1/2 years in the Army Reserve (active) I spent 2 years in Japan, but, I don't think I would call it a deployment.
Sorry to anyone that thinks otherwise, but, I am a veteran.
Sorry to anyone that thinks otherwise, but, I am a veteran.
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Define deployed. Made two WestPacs onboard the USS Enterprise for 9 months each during the Cold War. Would you consider that deployed? I do.
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PFC (Join to see)
It does surprisingly counts as combat deployment especially if you went to the Gulf. I was onboard enterprise for the 2011 deployment and that counted as combat deployment because of the various missions that occurred.
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MCPO Roger Collins
I was deployed for most of my career, yet never saw combat. But the deterrent purpose we served placed us in life endangering positions many times. We could not have been mission ready without those referred to as rear echelon. Yes we all are veterans, that does not diminish my high respect for those that face the enemy on the field of battle.
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A veteran is someone that has served in any branch of service at any time honorably, doesn't mater if they had been deployed or not. The other is combat veteran.
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PO3 Mack McLendon
"A veteran is someone that has served in any branch of service at any time honorably, doesn't mater if they had been deployed or not."
This sentence contains two glaring grammatical errors and one spelling error.
The rules of English grammar state that when a pronoun in a sentence (called "the referent") refers back to an earlier noun or pronoun (called "the antecedent"), both the referent and the antecedent must agree as to number -- either both must be singular, or both must be plural. The rules further state that, when the antecedent is singular and of common gender (that is, when it can be either masculine or feminine), the referent takes the masculine gender.
In the quoted sentence, the antecedent "someone" is singular and of common gender, but the referent "they" is plural. Additionally, the word "matter" is misspelled.
The sentence should read either:
"A veteran is someone that has served in any branch of service at any time honorably, doesn't MATTER if HE had been deployed or not."
or:
"VETERANS ARE THOSE WHO HAVE served in any branch of service at any time honorably, doesn't MATTER if THEY had been deployed or not."
This sentence contains two glaring grammatical errors and one spelling error.
The rules of English grammar state that when a pronoun in a sentence (called "the referent") refers back to an earlier noun or pronoun (called "the antecedent"), both the referent and the antecedent must agree as to number -- either both must be singular, or both must be plural. The rules further state that, when the antecedent is singular and of common gender (that is, when it can be either masculine or feminine), the referent takes the masculine gender.
In the quoted sentence, the antecedent "someone" is singular and of common gender, but the referent "they" is plural. Additionally, the word "matter" is misspelled.
The sentence should read either:
"A veteran is someone that has served in any branch of service at any time honorably, doesn't MATTER if HE had been deployed or not."
or:
"VETERANS ARE THOSE WHO HAVE served in any branch of service at any time honorably, doesn't MATTER if THEY had been deployed or not."
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SSG Corry Struve
Douchebag may refer to: A device used to administer a douche. A pejorative term for an arrogant or obnoxious person.
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BLUF: There is a legal definition of a veteran which mandates a specific amount of days continuous active duty service. Last I knew it was 180 days, and that's from 2008. I say that because I think it changed after that. Put another way, it has nothing to do with being deployed but everything to do with any DD 214 a service member was issued. Anyone can Say they are a veteran-whenever I ask for a military or veteran discount I show my Army Retired ID card. FYI: my AD service was 5/29/1974 to 7/18/1982; Army Reserve from 7/1982 thru 6/2015. I was also a Recruiter in the 1980's and 42A HR NCO. For anyone who is still in a Reserve unit your HR NCO should be able to tell you what the exact number of continuous active duty days for veterans status is now. As a side note: active service during particular conflicts may make you eligible for reduced automobile registration fees. Here in NV, I should get a hefty discount beginning next Dec which will start my 2nd yr as a resident. Ask the County Assessor office in which your city of residence sits.
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No! Deployment has nothing to do with being a VETERAN no discussion needed.
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Why? If you signed the check to uncle sam and served honorably you are VET . Welcome aboard !
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Is this seriously an issue? Did someone here not get enough hugs, bunnies or hot cocoa as a kid? Anyone asking this question has some self esteem issues in my opinion and I'll be nice and leave it at that. Get over it. At one point in time, people were trained by those who never deployed. They were probably trained and learned what they needed to deploy from a long list of various people in different places, who themselves may have never deployed. That doesn't make anyone (veteran) any different. The simple fact is this. It takes all types to make our military what it is. It takes clerks, it takes mechanics, it takes medics, nurses, and doctors. Don't forget about Drill instructors, range NCO's, supply and logistics, et.c, etc., etc. Every single person has a specific job and contributes to the success of our armed services. Every damn one of them is a veteran. Veteran/Combat Veteran. The guy in intelligence over here, feeding you intel is not a combat veteran, but is he any less important? Numerous guys deployed but never fired their weapon, does that count as combat veteran? Are you special because you deployed? Look on your chest at that campaign ribbon and there is your answer. But, to denounce someone who wasn't in the right spot at the right time to earn that same ribbon is BS. This is like the banter of Army vs. Marines vs. Navy vs. Air Force. Even Coasties. Each branch has a job, each supports each other and together are the Armed Forces of the United States, and veterans. Geez.
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You serve knowing you could get the call at any point. You are at the mercy of the military and serve with honor no matter where you serve. I served 11 years and never served in combat. I volunteered when the COC asked for volunteers but I didn't get to go. After 9/11, I had been out for a number of years and I felt a guilt. I told this to a Vietnam Vet one day and he told me "but you served". If you signed and are serving or served with no combat deployment, you are still a veteran. I dare someone tell me I'm not a veteran.
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GySgt Mike Swisher
Put another way SSG Martinez, when you signed on the dotted line it was knowing that you where required to give everything, up to and including . . .
You served, and you did it honorably, that makes you a veteran.
Who started this by the way, does anyone know?
You served, and you did it honorably, that makes you a veteran.
Who started this by the way, does anyone know?
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You raised your Right Hand, You signed the dotted line, It was Witnessed !!! ... Just What the HELL are we ?? one of Santa's ELVES ??? I Should know; APPARENTLY ALL I did was party for four years on a "Party Barge" according to Congress and the VA...
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