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 ones I don’t consider Veterans are those who got med boarded out in boot camp, but now collect VA benefits. Those aren’t vets. If you did zero deployments, fine you got lucky. You still served
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You raised your right hand, even in the National Guard there is a chance to deploy, deployed or not your still a veteran
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This is by far the dumbest fucking question I have heard for some time! To even entertain such a thought is a grievous offense!
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I think it's useful to consider how vital those who serve in mission and branch support assignments or even in rear detachment for deployed units are to those who are downrange. The machine doesn't run without gas or grease, and those who support those who do deploy are no less valuable to the mission.
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It comes down to the luck of the draw... My unit was on standby status more than once, and
I was on orders for deployment which were rescinded prior to our unit deployment to Vietnam.... People forget that any military personnel are at the beck and call of the needs of the country....
I was on orders for deployment which were rescinded prior to our unit deployment to Vietnam.... People forget that any military personnel are at the beck and call of the needs of the country....
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While I respect and salute all Honorable service, we have to recognize that many ANG and ARNG units were heavily tasked with deployments from 2004 -2010. MOS fields such as Security Forces, C130 crews, and Civil Engineering (my MOS) had to meet a very rigorous operating tempo and this should be noted for the record.
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