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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WTF, deployed why limit it there. It has to be to a War Zone, and you need to be wounded, twice. Then we add a minimum time like 35 years to claim " Veteran ", where does it stop?
I know a guy ( use to work with him ) who always bragged about being a Marine, now getting 100% disability. After a few beers he would brag how he was a Marine for less than 10 days. That included a day in the hospital ( his knee ), and 1 to do paperwork for his discharge. He work for the state for over the last 20 years. Hurt himself on the job ( his back ), and is getting 100% disability from them.
Am I happy that some how he worked the system nearly 45 years after his discharge. No, no, no. But that's a failure on the system, or due to a slick lawyer.
I served for nearly 10 years. Your suggesting requirements ( after the Fact ) aren't worth talking about.
I know a guy ( use to work with him ) who always bragged about being a Marine, now getting 100% disability. After a few beers he would brag how he was a Marine for less than 10 days. That included a day in the hospital ( his knee ), and 1 to do paperwork for his discharge. He work for the state for over the last 20 years. Hurt himself on the job ( his back ), and is getting 100% disability from them.
Am I happy that some how he worked the system nearly 45 years after his discharge. No, no, no. But that's a failure on the system, or due to a slick lawyer.
I served for nearly 10 years. Your suggesting requirements ( after the Fact ) aren't worth talking about.
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Some of the best people I served with never left stateside while some of the biggest Douch Bags I deployed with so no it shouldn’t be a criteria. That being said I think I should be a criteria hat you completed 4 years Honorably or have a service connected disability to hat forced you out.
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All veterans are deployed from there home. Whether to Alabama to Germany to all ships and boats at sea. We don't get a choice at times. We however go wherever ordered. Unless you go AWOL you're a veteran and even than unless you get a dishonorable discharge your still have status
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If you served 180 on active duty is what qualifies you as a veteran according to dod standards
To be a veteran, a service member must have:
— 180 days of consecutive active duty (not counting training)
— Or one day in a combat zone: served on Active Duty during a period of war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized.
— Served in the National Guard or Reserve for 20 years and retired under honorable conditions. (passed 2016)
and all veterans who served honorably do not get honorable discharges, I know combat veterans who had issues who did not receive honorable discharges but are still veterans because regardless they still put on that uniform and served and might of had issues with their chain of command, had ptsd issues, you never know what is going on with a person. I have high respect for combat veterans but I respect all those that have served and still serve. Thank you all for your service.
To be a veteran, a service member must have:
— 180 days of consecutive active duty (not counting training)
— Or one day in a combat zone: served on Active Duty during a period of war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge was authorized.
— Served in the National Guard or Reserve for 20 years and retired under honorable conditions. (passed 2016)
and all veterans who served honorably do not get honorable discharges, I know combat veterans who had issues who did not receive honorable discharges but are still veterans because regardless they still put on that uniform and served and might of had issues with their chain of command, had ptsd issues, you never know what is going on with a person. I have high respect for combat veterans but I respect all those that have served and still serve. Thank you all for your service.
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I am the adjutant for our local American Legion Post.
So I am the 1SG (I reckon) LOL.
The American Legion has lowered their entrance standards so that virtually anyone who could have completed basic combat training and has other than a dishonorable discharge can join the American Legion.
For a VFW membership, you have to be played 30 days, as I recall
So I am the 1SG (I reckon) LOL.
The American Legion has lowered their entrance standards so that virtually anyone who could have completed basic combat training and has other than a dishonorable discharge can join the American Legion.
For a VFW membership, you have to be played 30 days, as I recall
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No. Not everyone who serves honorably -- part time or full time -- will be deployed, but honorable service confers the status of "Veteran."
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Answer your self after reading: As a member of the 6594th Test group, none of which deployed to warzone, on January 15 1985 one of our HH-53s, call sign Arris 01, crashed while attempting a shipboard rescue mission 544 miles northwest of Honolulu. The USAF test group, not the Coast Guard responded because of the distance and capabilities. All seven crew members were killed: Pilots Capt. David D. Mason, Capt. Steve Pindzola, 2Lt. Russell Ohl. Flight Engineers SSgt Kyle D. Marshall, SSgt Daniel R. Reihman. Pararescuemen SSgt John R. Gilbert, Sgt Robert A. Jermyn. The helicopter crashed when a main rotor blade broke creating an imbalance in the aircraft which caused the tail to break off while the helicopter hovered above the commercial ship, "Asian Beauty." Captain Mason had been married only a few days and returned early from his honeymoon to volunteer for the flight.
Veterans or Not?
Veterans or Not?
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Veteran benefits come in all shapes, sizes and qualifications. A reserve soldier who gets a line of duty injury on his first day of active duty for training, requiring separation from service, is entitled to both DoD and VA benefits. My dad served for 10 years in the NG but never served non training active duty. His VA benefits were very limited.
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I signed up, I served for 20 Yrs before I was forced out on a medical.
I was always ready and willing to deploy but my unit wasn't activated.
Why should my service be counted for less than that.
I was always ready and willing to deploy but my unit wasn't activated.
Why should my service be counted for less than that.
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