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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Once you give the DoD your ass, you know it can do whatever it wants with it. Whether or not it actually sends you somewhere is just a matter of chance.
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1LT(P) (Join to see)
veteran
[ˈvedərən, ˈvetrən]
NOUN
a person who has had long experience in a particular field.
synonyms:
retired soldier · old hand · old-timer · old stager · past master · doyen · authority · master · grandmaster · master hand · expert · virtuoso · maestro · pro · ace · [more]
a person who has served in the military.
"a veteran of two world wars"
As I understand the term Veterans would be your most experienced people. JMTC
veteran
[ˈvedərən, ˈvetrən]
NOUN
a person who has had long experience in a particular field.
synonyms:
retired soldier · old hand · old-timer · old stager · past master · doyen · authority · master · grandmaster · master hand · expert · virtuoso · maestro · pro · ace · [more]
a person who has served in the military.
"a veteran of two world wars"
As I understand the term Veterans would be your most experienced people. JMTC
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I enlisted in the Army reserves during my high school years and upon graduation, served six months for basic tng and the Armor School at Ft. Knox, Ky. That was during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1961, I enlisted in the Regular Army, went to Missile Equipment Repair school at Ft Belvoir, Va and then to Ft Bliss, Tx for Hawk tng after which I was sent to Germany and served on a Hawk missile site for two years. During that time, President Kennedy was killed and again, the world was on a war footing for a while. Prior to my deployment back to the States, I was given the re-up talk by my BC and volunteered to extend for a year to serve in Viet Nam. My BC told me to take my wife and new baby girl home. I've always considered myself a veteran. I served where I was sent and did my job to the best of my abilities.
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Even not deployed- you were a number, among many others that never deployed, that kept others from attacking us.
You may have never left our soil, but your presence protected us from invasion.
Thanks, veteran.
You may have never left our soil, but your presence protected us from invasion.
Thanks, veteran.
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All candidates for United States military service are veterans. The OATH OF SERVICE declares the status as veteran as long as you have served our Nation. We gave our oath without condition to serve and protect our fellow citizens, those in authority over us, the Constitution and the President of the United States.
I served as a US Air National Guardsman for eight years. Most of that time was spent as a "full time airman" training recruits to posses a military skill set with which the officers and airman would be ready for "call up" should they be needed. As a First Sergeant and for a time as the Sergeant Major of a Group with four squadrons and two flights made up of about 1,000 men my overview of responsibility was to be part of the team preparing our Group to be Operationally Ready should we be called upon by our Commander and Chief (THE PRESIDENT). [It was our privilege to perform at a readiness level above that of our Air Force counterparts each summer during the "active duty" unit training deployment.]
I served as a US Air National Guardsman for eight years. Most of that time was spent as a "full time airman" training recruits to posses a military skill set with which the officers and airman would be ready for "call up" should they be needed. As a First Sergeant and for a time as the Sergeant Major of a Group with four squadrons and two flights made up of about 1,000 men my overview of responsibility was to be part of the team preparing our Group to be Operationally Ready should we be called upon by our Commander and Chief (THE PRESIDENT). [It was our privilege to perform at a readiness level above that of our Air Force counterparts each summer during the "active duty" unit training deployment.]
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During the Cuban missile crisis my Infantry Company was sent to perimeter defense of an Alaskan missile site. It was a warm 6 degrees outside. We locked and loaded, locked in our machine guns and spent 5 days waiting for the Russian parachutes to fall. Ready for combat in every way.
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There are three definitions of the word veteran. The legal one. You signed up you served you got a discharge your a veteran. Generally accepted one, you’re signed up you lived up to your contract wehn you. Got out you lived up to the contacts and standards that we think of when we say the American military. The arrogant one. I’m at Frontline soldier and if you’re not Frontline soldiers then you’re not as neat and important as me. I am a fighter pilot and I do the job everybody else is support. My answer to these are bullshit. If you’re not a Navy seal that also has a green beret and Air Force special operations badge, +1000 hours of combat flight then shut up. When I was on flight status I loaded the guns and the pilot pulled the trigger neither of us could’ve done it without the other when I was on the ground I was a mechanic and I made the best plane available to each crew that came to me for one. When I was asssign to a Marine unit as an Air Force enlisted man I did my best to try and keep up with these guys they respected me for it and excepted me for it. I didn’t try and do anything beyond my abilities, and they excepted my abilities and make the best use of them.
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We are all dumber now having read that question. To insinuate that one is not deserving of that title because they simply didn’t deploy would leave the majority of living “people who served” out of having the honor of the title that defines the fact hat they said “I’ll do it!!” When most don’t. Next question.
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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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Anyone who signed that dotted line and served honorably regardless of their role is a veteran
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You take the oath and wear the uniform and complete a term of service...you are a veteran. Perhaps not a war veteran but you do the time in uniform you have the right to call yourself a veteran!
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Should veteran status be reserved for those who have deployed?
No, you go and serve where you are sent.
No, you go and serve where you are sent.
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I spent 4 years in the Air Force during the Vietnam era. I was sent to a security base in Italy not of my choosing but still supported the mission. I understand those who dodged bullets but I also serviced. I agree with Chip.
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I considered several responses to this question, most of which were either outrageous or certainly disrespectful. The best I can come up with is that the selectee asking this question needs to allow their butter bar to cook some more before they pin on the new ones.
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It’s stupid ass questions like this, that makes me not come on this sight very much. This is a turd question. Yes I said turd. U don’t deserve to be called Sir. Asking something stupid like this makes me feel sorry for any troops that serve under you. I hope u have a really good NCO, because you are a turd. Do us all a favor and go to the latrine and try and figure out which three fingers on either your left or right hand you are going to be pissing on today and stop trying to sound intelligent with these stupid ass questions. TURD
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Absolutely. A veteran is a veteran. There were 1 month training missions here in the US (NTC, CAX) that were more painful than my last 9 month deployment to Afghanistan. Also the 1 month I spent in Yaechoen Air Base, South Korea for Foal Eagle 2003 almost drove me insane.
So just because someone hasn't been to the sand box doesn't mean they aren't a real veteran. Just maybe not a combat veteran.
So just because someone hasn't been to the sand box doesn't mean they aren't a real veteran. Just maybe not a combat veteran.
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PO1PO1 William "Chip" Nagel said it best. However, since this keyboard is so close to my fingertips, let me open and close this topic, please.
My brother and I served together during a hot war. Neither of us saw combat. Both of us supported combat units from a desktop thousands of miles away. War is hell enough, we don't need to sift through political rhetoric to decide who gets the medal...I don't take the term Veteran lightly. I earned my status, my stripes, and the feeling in my heart that I served my country the way they intended me to.
My brother and I served together during a hot war. Neither of us saw combat. Both of us supported combat units from a desktop thousands of miles away. War is hell enough, we don't need to sift through political rhetoric to decide who gets the medal...I don't take the term Veteran lightly. I earned my status, my stripes, and the feeling in my heart that I served my country the way they intended me to.
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YES . . . that veteran status nonsense has got to be coming from people who've never served!
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GySgt Mike Swisher
Ouch! I thought I had typed, YES . . . you are a veteran.
Don't dress me down to hard folks. But while I'm here, the only person that can't claim veteran status is the person who never served.
Don't dress me down to hard folks. But while I'm here, the only person that can't claim veteran status is the person who never served.
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