Should veteran status be reserved for those who have deployed?

How about "Combat Veteran" and "Non-Combat Veteran" designation on ID or Driver's License? If nothing else it would be honest. Anyone who served over twenty four hours in a combat zone would be considered a "Combat Veteran".

My dad said the same thing when I enlisted in 1988. I was talking about veteran's benefits and he said you had to be in combat to be a veteran. I told him that now, anyone who's been in the military is a veteran - unless you retired, then you're a military retiree.

I served 5 years active duty in the Corps, 98-03. Two deployments, one to Japan, one to the Persian gulf after the second Iraqi war. For New Jersey civil service purposes, I wasn't a veteran until I submitted my fitness report that showed I was part of Iraqi freedom/Enduring freedom, cuz NJ requires it. Since my DD-214 only listed deployment and sea service, I wasn't a veteran for them until I sent in my fitness report that listed those operations

NO. Don't think I need to elaborate on this one.

Back when I served, post Vietnam, I along with many others never deployed. There were some that served in Europe, some that served in S. Kores, others in Japan. We are still Veterans, granted we served during peace time, during the Cold War, we still trained like the balloon was going to go up at aby moment. The thing is, I stood up and took an Oath to Uphold and Defend this country. Like somany before me, and so many after me, I wrote that same check to the people of this country that was made payable in the amount of upto and including my life if need be.
So don't let someone tell you that you are not a Veteran just because you did not deploy ti a combat zone. Not all members of the military do, even today, while others deploy to combat zones several times.
Only time I had an agency try to tell me that I was not a Veteran, was when I was hired on at a local military base in their public works dept as a painter. The DoD tried telling me I was not a Veteran, consudering I draw a small V.A. pension, and am a 10pt Vet. Come to find out it was the Capt over public works had a hard on against any one that had not served in the Navy, as I served in the Army. Long story short, I got the job and was there until the new base comnander took over and contracted the work out that the piblic works unit did. That is a story gor another day though.

This should answer most of your questions. https://va.org/what-is-a-veteran-the-legal-definition/#:~:text=Title%2038%20of%20the%20Code,any%20branch%20of%20armed%20forces

No. Intra-organizational elitism is toxic and unnecessary.

A Veteran is someone who served, honorably. I am a little indifferent on those who are released on a General Discharge, though anyone with a less than Honorable or a Dishonorable are NOT Veterans.
A Combat Veteran is someone who was directly involved in Combat. I have served in Combat zones twice, but I never exchanged fire with an enemy. I was almost killed by a rocket in Basra Iraq, October 2009, but I never fired my weapon. I don't consider myself a Combat Veteran, though some might.
I am, however, a Veteran of a Foreign War.
Those are the different classifications as I see them.

If there is a misunderstanding regarding what qualifies for "veteran status", contact the Department of Veteran Affairs. Most of the added concepts mentioned are not part of the definition. If you served, you are a veteran, even if not provided an honorable discharge. There are differences between retirees, and those that combat served, (or both), but we are all still veterans.

This is an absurd question. Sign on the line, don the uniform and serve proudly and honorably. Uncle Sam says who goes where. Coming from the Medical Community, I saw a lot of enlisted Corpsman NEC's that did not deploy, such as the physical therapy technician. So here's a guy or gal that doesn't deploy because of their job, but as all the broken soldier and sailors return home to hospitals, this guy or gall is putting in the hours to help these wounded folks walk, eat, hold, touch and stand again. Countless hours of dedicated service to these patriots. I had a personal friend that was a PT Tech in Naples Italy, and he so badly wanted to join a Marine Corps unit or deploy aboard a ship but couldn't yet he was one of the best in his field, worked independently from a physical therapist and had a case load he managed of over 130. Why deny him veteran status or even think of it? I say bloom where you are planted and give it your best. Veteran = Service, not deployment.