Posted on May 6, 2014
Should veteran status be reserved for those who have deployed?
221K
3.94K
1K
430
429
1
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
0
0
0
0
0
0
You sign on the dotted line, you become MOS qualified, and serve 12 or 18 months, whatever it is so that you wont have to repay any enlistment bonus, then yes youre a vet. Regardless of what component, unit or number of deployments. I served 6 years active duty with a deployment.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
No. Anybody who has been in the active military, the reserves, or the National Guard has been in a position to have been sent into harm's way. ALL of us are veterans. ALL of us deserve respect. Combat veterans deserve extra respect ...
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Seeing as you can't pick where you're assigned. Of course you're a veteran. But that being said, there are different definitions for differ veterans services.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I believe that anyone who served their country honorably through active service, whether deployed or in garrison deserves the title of Veteran. That being said, I do believe there should be a difference in legal status between a veteran who served in a combat zone, and one who didn't.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Should I not be a veteran because my dates of service fell between Desert Storm & 9/11? Does my service not count because we were not actively engaged in a battle during the time of my enlistment? Should I be 'punished' for something entirely beyond my control?
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Just to muddy the waters a bit - somebody talked about combat vets vs. vets and went on to talk about taking rounds, etc. So what about the areas where it is still technically a combat zone, but few shots are fired. Specifically the Korean DMZ, even to this day, and West Berlin (until 1990) I was in Berlin, so I'm familiar with that. Not much shooting going on there (although you should look up Maj. Arthur D. Nicholson if you think it was completely safe), but we were 100 miles behind enemy lines and surrounded by GSFG. Does that make me a combat vet? I don't think so, but by some of the "definitions" being thrown around, it does. In the end though, we're all vets, and that is the important distinction to me.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I served for almost 13 years in the reserves. I volunteered extra duty to help out when needed at my reserve unit and for the Marine Corps POOLE Program. I was activated for a little over 45 days during Desert Storm at Oaknoll Naval Hospital. I have been torn over this question. I did everything asked of me and then some. I dealt with some of the worst forms of sexual harassment and fought to prove myself "worthy" enough. Since my departure I have advocated on behalf of our Veterans (especially our senior citizen veterans). I call myself a Veteran. I am trying to get back into the Navy Reserves to serve as a Public Affairs Officer but am in need of an age requirement. I am hoping and praying it will be granted. I have kept myself physically fit and want to serve out a minimum of 20 years in the reserve. If I am called to deployed I will do it with honor. So am I worthy of Veteran status? I don't know.
I do know I have the utmost respect for all those that serve but hold special admiration for those who deployed over seas and have served in combat. From that stand point I don't feel worthy.
Do I deserve Veteran Status? Some days I say yes I absolutely do, but at other times when I hear the stories of sacrifice of those who deployed like my ex, my husband and others I know or meet than I feel on the fence about the whole issue.
I do know I have the utmost respect for all those that serve but hold special admiration for those who deployed over seas and have served in combat. From that stand point I don't feel worthy.
Do I deserve Veteran Status? Some days I say yes I absolutely do, but at other times when I hear the stories of sacrifice of those who deployed like my ex, my husband and others I know or meet than I feel on the fence about the whole issue.
(0)
(0)
TSgt (Join to see)
Wendy you should also look into the Air Guard in which ever your state is I am not dumb enough to ask a lady her age :) but having been in recruiting and now PA they can take your time in service and subtract from your age and as long as under current age requirement no waiver needed.
(0)
(0)
PO2 (Join to see)
Thanks TSgt, I actually started there but was told I would have an easier time with the Navy since I served with them. It is only because of a Lt. Col that the Navy is even working with me. :)
(0)
(0)
1LT(P) (Join to see)
PO2 (Join to see) I understand how you feel, and thank you for your service. In my mind, there is an important distinction between "veteran" and "combat veteran", but there are still shades of grey with those terms. Not everyone who deploys to a combat zone sees combat....but I'd never try to tell someone that they weren't a combat veteran. Likewise, I'd be offended if someone tried to tell me that I wasn't a veteran. Am I claiming that I deployed or saw combat? Absolutely not. But I have made big sacrifices so that I may be ready to do so, as have hundreds of thousands of others.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google