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 >1 y ago
Responses: 678
Sir, I am not sure why this is even a question. I agree with the other responses. If you have served, you are a veteran. Whether you deploy or not has nothing to do with being able to claim veteran status.
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Any of us Who served and signed our lives away. ARE VETERANS. Where we served or how we served was NOT our call. We served where we were needed at our time of duty. Wherever the bullet was needing a slot
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I was in the Cold War, I served overseas, I faced armed individuals [I was in Law Enforcement, USAF], I was never in combat, but I believe I am a Veteran. I will never forget the first time I was told that I wasn't a "real Veteran" because I was a woman.
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So the only real WWII veterans are those who served overseas? Or only those who have a CIB, CAB, CMB, CAR, etc. are veterans? You served, you are a veteran.
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I served for 5years, most of that time in Germany. In 1991, my unit was supposed to deploy to Desert Storm, but did not. We were ready, willing, and able to go. So, because we didn't, some don't consider me a veteran? Unbelievable.
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MAJ James Fitzgerald
Do not let anyone put a definition on you that you are not a Veteran. You are, by the ‘legal definition’ and certainly did your part and more. Yes, Combat Veterans deserve to be called such…I have the utmost respect for them. Veterans need to stick together.
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Yeah. I mean i have a buddy that joined the Corps a few months after i did, aviation ordnance cat, got to the fleet, got put in a pilot training unit, making him 'non deployable' and was good enough at his job that his unit wouldnt sign off on any requested transfers... He still contributed to the war effort. Hes as much a veteran as I am, with 1 to OIF and 1 to OEF.
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I would like to here from those men and women who made sure the ammunition, food and serial numbered equipment continued to arrive in support of said deployment while they served stateside. A deployment can't occur without a much coordinated effort back home. I am not taking away anything from those deployed. I am saying that veteran status shouldn't be specifically just for those that pulled the trigger.
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SFC Jim Ruether
I understand what you are saying. We trained every day during drills in the Army National Guard in the event that we might be called up.
Active duty units came to evaluate our performance levels for all the common soldiers tasks, our MOS specific tasks in the Field Artillery, as well as Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare. We were told over and over that we not only met the Army Standards but most often exceeded them. We took great pride in our performance and were ready to fight.
A couple of years later our units were activated shortly after I had retired . We lost three soldiers in a helipad bombing when injured soldiers were being carried out to the helipad for transport after a vehicle accident and some trigger happy bomber detonated charges they place beneath the helipad as my stretcher bearers were approaching the helipad. I have felt a profound loss ever since that day, as these guys were people I had trained with and worked with.
Active duty units came to evaluate our performance levels for all the common soldiers tasks, our MOS specific tasks in the Field Artillery, as well as Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare. We were told over and over that we not only met the Army Standards but most often exceeded them. We took great pride in our performance and were ready to fight.
A couple of years later our units were activated shortly after I had retired . We lost three soldiers in a helipad bombing when injured soldiers were being carried out to the helipad for transport after a vehicle accident and some trigger happy bomber detonated charges they place beneath the helipad as my stretcher bearers were approaching the helipad. I have felt a profound loss ever since that day, as these guys were people I had trained with and worked with.
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A1C Javier Garcon
Without someone checking the weapons, defects, Making sure that the 3 pant legs are not issued, Yes I would consider that a win in my book! From the construction of all our equipment, deployment, fittings, recruitment and all the way to the field! That is how it was during World War 1 and World War 2 in this amazing country of ours
and some how it has lost all it's meaning today.
and some how it has lost all it's meaning today.
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Not everyone will see combat, I know a lot of veterans that haven't been to a combat zone, but still served. Its nothing to be ashamed of, honestly some units get orders and some don't. Its just a matter of who is needed at the time. You are a veteran REGARDLESS if you been to combat or not. Its just an extra word on paper.
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This Post Came Over 10 Years Ago, But My Response Remains The Same;
"Uh NO" ~~ We're Still VETS, But What We Are NOT Is A "VIETNAM VET",
Nor Any Other VET Where A Combat Situation Took Place
We Either ARE, Or We're NOT. There's No In Between And The Title Belongs
Only To Those Whom WERE Deployed In Those Places. I Served During Part Of
The Vietnam ERA, Which Does NOT Make Me A "Vietnam VET".
Thank You,
the management
"Uh NO" ~~ We're Still VETS, But What We Are NOT Is A "VIETNAM VET",
Nor Any Other VET Where A Combat Situation Took Place
We Either ARE, Or We're NOT. There's No In Between And The Title Belongs
Only To Those Whom WERE Deployed In Those Places. I Served During Part Of
The Vietnam ERA, Which Does NOT Make Me A "Vietnam VET".
Thank You,
the management
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If we eliminate those who did not deploy from veteran status, then you eliminate 3/4 of the entire military force. No paychecks at the front line, no DEPOT aircraft maintainers, No training NCO's. No Field Training Detachments, No reserves, no ANG... When you put the uniform on, sign on the dotted line and swear your oath, you gave just about everything you are to be sacrificed for the good of the nation. If you do this honorably, I think that this in and of itself qualifies you to earn the title "Veteran".
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