Posted on Nov 11, 2013
SFC Cornelius Walsh
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<p>I was asked a very interesting question by a civilian, due to today's holiday: What is a veteran? Is it somebody that was "just" in the military, or someone that actually deployed?"</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While there are various legal standards that define the word "veteran" in specific terms, I could see where the confusion lies. Is a veteran anyone to have ever worn the uniform? Must you be a combat veteran to receive benefits?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While various regulations and laws spell this out, I'd like to know - what do YOU consider to be a veteran, especially in the context of Veteran's Day?</p>
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Capt Retired
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I have probably commented before.

My retirement letter credited me with 39 years and 2 days of service.

I was on active duty from 1960 to 1975. I did not go to Vietnam. I also have 8 1/2 years of active Army Reserve. I am officially a retired Army Captain.

Many might say I am not a veteran. I doubt that they would like my answer.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
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Edited 9 y ago
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SSG Katherine Likely
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to me a veteran is -
Is someone who served a min of 1 year in the service
A veteran is someone who isn't there just for an education
A veteran doesn't claim they are against any war - after they received their education from the military, and then skip out on their duty.
A veteran is someone who does what needs to be done without whining, they see the job through.
A veteran doesn't flake out when the going gets tough.
A veteran may have been in a combat unit, may be in combat support or behind the lines making sure everything runs smoothly for those that may be laying down their lives for whatever their unit is doing.
A veteran is someone who is serving their country proudly
A veteran is a person who cares about their unit, the people in it and the mission on hand.
A veteran does their duty for God (anyway they want to worship it - or not) and country.
A veteran shows respect for their fellow members and not just to the uniform
A veteran is happy to help civilians understand the military's mission.
A veteran may have to give their life for their unit and country to accomplish the mission on hand and they do their duty proudly.
A veteran is making things happen, they are male as well as female, they are different colors - are different religious beliefs and yet it is not uncommon to find one who does not believe in God. I believe God touches lives and veterans in his own way at his own time.
Veterans accept the unknown and overcome the difficulties they face.
It is good to be a veteran of the United States military and it is good to have many friends who are proud to call themselves veterans also.
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PFC Zachary Hisey
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I have a hard time even trying to consider myself a veteran, I enlisted at 17 with a ranger contract I made it 12 weeks into osut before I dislocated my shoulder and after going through medical and being told that I would cost more to fix than I was worth at the time due to pre existing injuries that I did not disclose, I was discharged with a general classification, I do not call myself a veteran I do not feel like I have even come close to earning that title. A friend of mine told me to check out this site and see what other people thought about it, brutal honesty is appreciated, it is something I have battled with for almost a decade!
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SSG Katherine Likely
SSG Katherine Likely
>1 y
you are not a veteran but you were a solider. A veteran to me is at least 1 year of service.
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Capt Retired
Capt (Join to see)
9 y
PFC Zachary Hisey You did not skip out on your contract. You served as long as able. You served honorably and I consider you to be a vet.
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SFC Motor Transport Operator
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BOTH, it also depends on how long you been in and stuff.
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SPC Jeff Leonard
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I have always thought it was 90 days continuous service. I have not actually looked it up but have thought it was a good indicator. I am kind of on the fence as to whether I would consider training as part of the 90 days since my OSUT was 13 weeks. If you dropped out after 90 days but before you graduated I dont think I would consider that individual a veteran, but I really don't know what the actual definition is. Just throwing down my 2 cents.
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SSG Katherine Likely
SSG Katherine Likely
>1 y
you are correct it is 90 days of continuous service but to me it should be at least 1 year, continuous or otherwise. Anything less is just a solider to me.
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PO1 John Miller
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"A Military Veteran Is ANY Person who Served for ANY Length of time In ANY Military Service Branch."

Good enough for me!!! I would go a step further though and say that as long as a person didn't receive a Dishonorable Discharge (for something really bad like rape, child molestation, murder) they're a veteran. What I just described I don't consider them a veteran. Those are low-lives who slipped through the cracks.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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Edited 10 y ago
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SGT CH-47 Helicopter Repairer
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When i enlisted, I went straight from MEPS to Boot. When we arrived to boot (understanding that so far it was an airplane ride from AZ to MO, met by a drill who calmly; and i do mean calmly no sarcasm here; escorted us to a bus, a calm bus ride from the airport to the base, and a slightly hectic exit from the bus into a large common room) we all ready had someone sniveling, screaming that his mother be brought to him immediately, and threatening to kill himself if he was not taken seriously. My understanding; since we did not get to see this gentlemen ever again; is that he was taken to a hospital for evaluations (which required in processing him), and was then out processed as unstable, and sent home. Key note here is the "soldier" did receive a DD-214 for his 2 weeks of service. SO the question becomes, is he a veteran? He volontered, got the dd214, and spent more than 1 day in service? So is he a veteran?
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 John Miller
10 y
It is my understanding (and I could be wrong) that a person who does not complete boot camp does not get a DD214, but some other form stating that they served for however long and were separated due to medical/mental/physical/whatever reasons. Perhaps a personnel or admin type knows the specific form number?
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SSG Katherine Likely
SSG Katherine Likely
>1 y
no, he is whinny solider - the worst kind. A veteran puts in their time without the need of their mommy or looking for outs before they have got their feet wet.
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SFC Instructor/Writer
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My personal belief is a veteran is anyone who has deployed to a combat zone. It's that simple. Not simply joining the military but deploying, making that sacrifice. Leaving your loved ones and doing exactly what we signed up for.
 
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1SG Corrections Officer
1SG (Join to see)
>1 y
You dont need to deploy to  be a veteran.  You cant chose when you go to war.  Its those that are willing to go when called upon.  Honorable service is a Veteran.
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SPC Jeff Leonard
SPC Jeff Leonard
10 y
I served 8 years (88 to 97 I was out for a year looking for a new unit in the ng when the old unit was disbanded) 4 of which were active duty as a 19D. Both units I served with, B trip 3/4 Cav and 3 ACR did not deploy. So in your opinion I am not a veteran and don't deserve benefits or recognition as such? I know it is your opinion but I am a little offended by it.
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Cpl Barry Greive
Cpl Barry Greive
10 y
I like SPC Leonard served for 8 years from 85 to 89 active, and 89 to 93 inactive, those years fell between Bosnia and the first gulf war. I am a Marine, and was ready to go anywhere at anytime. I had no control over what conflict was happening at the time. I don't think you need to be considered a Veteran, we all served. I consider myself a Veteran.
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Capt Retired
Capt (Join to see)
9 y
I served. I did everything that I was assigned to do and I did it well. And you think I am not a veteran? I will refrain except to say your are very very wrong.
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