When is a reservist considered a veteran?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 03:45:39 -0400

What criteria must we met?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 3:56 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 03:56:21 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member - When he/she serves in an active combat zone? Sandy

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 6:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 06:29:16 -0400

https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42324.pdf
This may help

R42324.pdf

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Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 6:49 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 06:49:24 -0400

When your 8yr sentence is over (active and IRR), or you've deployed.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 24 at 2016 7:28 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 24 May 2016 07:28:30 -0400

There are "statutory requirements" (legal) to legally be called a Vet and there are "perceptual requirements" (what most people call Vets).

The simple answer is 1 day on Active Duty outside of Training. "By statute, a veteran is defined as a “person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.”

For Reservists and Guard this can get tricky.

The perceptual requirements are pretty simple. Raise your right hand and serve.

Response by SGT David T. made May 24 at 2016 7:36 AM

SGT David T. — Tue, 24 May 2016 07:36:21 -0400

My answer is when you receive an honorable discharge or serve on a combat deployment. Otherwise you are a service member. The only difference is that a veteran did it, and the service member is doing it now.

Response by SGT Edward Wilcox made May 24 at 2016 8:09 AM

SGT Edward Wilcox — Tue, 24 May 2016 08:09:16 -0400

Last time I checked, you had to serve at least 181 days on Active Duty, including training(that's why Basic + AIT is purposely kept under 180 days), to qualify for Veterans' Benefits. If you don't qualify for benefits, you aren't a veteran. Personally, anyone who completes their first contract is a veteran, regardless of active duty time.

Response by CSM David Heidke made May 24 at 2016 8:10 AM

CSM David Heidke — Tue, 24 May 2016 08:10:56 -0400

If you were a Reservist, and was never activated or deployed, and get out, you're not a Veteran.

Response by SGT William Howell made May 24 at 2016 8:51 AM

SGT William Howell — Tue, 24 May 2016 08:51:08 -0400

Every reservist is a veteran. Unless I am mistaken, boot camp is still 60 days and MOS schools are at least 30. That is 90 days of active duty. I would call that person a vet.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made May 24 at 2016 9:08 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Tue, 24 May 2016 09:08:44 -0400

If you can be ordered into harm's way by the federal government, you have won the right to be called a veteran.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 9:51 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 09:51:06 -0400

I am not sure of the exact regulations number, but the last I read was that a Reservist must serve 180 days on Active Duty (not including training) in order to be considered a Veteran in order to use the Veterans Preference Status when applying for employment. But, what I personally feel is that if you made it through Basic and AIT and served your term of service honorably and left to do other things, I would consider you a Veteran.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 10:10 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 10:10:03 -0400

I'm a reservist; coming off of 4 years of active duty. I took a sebatical for 3 months before joining the reserves. There is a big stigma about reservists but honestly, I've ran into a lot of reservists who are gun-hoe, squared away soldiers/marines/sailors. I don't consider myself "lazy" on the fact that i got out of Active service. I do plan to go back and I am in the process of doing so.

There are a few reservist I've seen who maybe older than my parents. I saw one who had service stripes about halfway up his upper arm. Dedicated, I will give it to them but sometimes you just have to say "ok....time to retire."

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 24 at 2016 1:07 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 24 May 2016 13:07:39 -0400

According to a gentleman I talk to at the VA office my 24 yrs. in the Guards qualified me.

Response by PO3 Mack McLendon made May 25 at 2016 12:53 AM

PO3 Mack McLendon — Wed, 25 May 2016 00:53:47 -0400

As soon as he is honorably discharged, he is a veteran.

Response by MSgt Bruce Hutchinson made May 25 at 2016 9:47 AM

MSgt Bruce Hutchinson — Wed, 25 May 2016 09:47:05 -0400

If you did the time you're a vet, assuming that you're in good standing

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2016 3:51 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 15:51:39 -0500

This has always been a delima for me. I'm often at public events where veterans are recognized for their service and asked to stand. I spent 6 years in the GaANG. I just keep my seat. I'm very proud of my service but it was all inactive duty. To stand next to my high school buddy with 2 Purple Hearts from Vietnam just isn't right. I spent 44 years in law enforcement. I stand when they recognize first responders.

Response by SN Eleanor Shy made May 28 at 2017 11:06 AM

SN Eleanor Shy — Sun, 28 May 2017 11:06:47 -0400

The whole vet category is somewhat confusing for me. I served 8 yrs in the navy reserves and was honorable discharged. I was never in combat so am I considered a veteran.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 25 at 2017 7:39 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 19:39:07 -0400

Prior Service

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 11:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 11:52:07 -0400

If the VA requires 6 years in the Guard or Reserve with anything other than a dishonorable discharge (assuming no active time) to qualify for a VA loan, well then I would assume that's the answer. Knocking on loyal dedicated soldiers because they didn't deploy is nonsense. I know active duty soldiers that served their 3 and got out yet never deployed. What makes them better? They lived on a base? Anyone who swore an oath and served their contract honorably is a Vet in my eyes.

Response by CPL Leila Smith made Dec 9 at 2017 4:15 AM

CPL Leila Smith — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 04:15:40 -0500

I am a Louisiana National Guard reservist vet with no benefits but a Kansas City Missouri metro bus pass. If you have any advice to offer please let me know. The government didn't do too much for me but gave me a bus pass cause I was National Guard reserve with no active duty deployment. I did my training and made the same commitment and sworn the same vows as the others did. If I was called on for deployment I would have been there. And i got an honorable discharge. SMH. Can an old soldier/GI get some help especially now when I really need it? I am homeless and in Houston Texas. My ss# 488820522. My Maiden name when I joined was Leila g. Akridge. When I was honorably discharged my married name was Leila g. Mcclendon. I am homeless in Houston Texas and mentally and physically ill. Please share " my phone number is [login to see] .

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Dec 9 at 2017 7:46 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 07:46:55 -0500

Here's the answer:
http://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/1038989/guard-and-reserve-members-receive-veteran-status/

Guard and Reserve members receive ‘Veteran’ status

ARLINGTON, Va. – A recently signed law gives official veteran status to National Guard members who served 20 years or more. Previously, Guard members were considered veterans only if they served 180

Response by Dennis Aubuchon made Dec 9 at 2017 9:13 AM

Dennis Aubuchon — Sat, 09 Dec 2017 09:13:26 -0500

I believe every individual who signs up to be a reservist is a veteran. Individuals who are reservists are veterans. They are serving our country and should be recognized as such. Reservists can be and have been called to active duty. Also the way I understand it individuals who have actively served in the military serve time as a reservist

Response by Annet Mileo made Jan 15 at 2018 9:56 AM

Annet Mileo — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 09:56:02 -0500

1. When you attend one of the 5 federal academies, is your time as a student considered "active" duty?
2. When you graduate and have taken the oath, have paperwork that says you are a commissioned Naval Officer,completed the post graduation service requirements attached to being a cadet, and 12 years later, receive an honorable discharge, but have no DD214, are you a Veteran?

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Mar 15 at 2018 8:37 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 08:37:59 -0400

I have commented on this a bunch of times in many different ways. If you can be ordered to active duty and forced to eat MRE's you qualify as a veteran.

Response by Sgt Zeb Lane made Apr 19 at 2018 10:08 AM

Sgt Zeb Lane — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 10:08:27 -0400

The VA requires a person to be on active duty for 90 days to be entitled to claim benefits. Now that doesn’t have to be all consecutive days, it’s just accumulative. So boot and school should get a person close to that amount of time in especially if the person is in some kind of holding platoon on active duty awaiting for school. And all the weekends a month and 2 week deployment a year that reservists have to do should be able to claim the 90 days pretty easily. Now a combat vet is totally different, must have a combat action ribbon, metal, patch (depending on service) listed on your DD214, to be able to claim war veteran.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2018 10:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 10:19:39 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member it depends on your definition of veteran. If it is combat veteran it is after you completed a combat tour. If it is for VA loan you need six years in the reserves/NG.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2018 12:57 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 00:57:03 -0400

Six years honorable discharged

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2018 1:29 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 01:29:52 -0400

I have been to Ft Snelling Mn several times since I have lived here in Minneapolis MN..
I am homeless and I received from the V.A. clothes from the yearly "Stand-Down"
A dental inspection, and a very healthy meal for the two days of the stand- down.
I have received in the past seventeen years three certificate of allotments.
I have been homeless for two years and now trying to reach out to the V.A. for any kind of help and I am told that I am not a veteran . 181 days active duty. 1965 statutes Minnesota.
Self pace A.I.T. school. Six years honorable discharged how can I receive the help that I was promised when I enlisted in the Military Service ?

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Apr 24 at 2018 12:25 PM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 12:25:26 -0400

When discharged/separated. Until then a service member.

Response by CN William Thomas made May 20 at 2018 9:04 PM

CN William Thomas — Sun, 20 May 2018 21:04:57 -0400

I spent 6 months in active duty for training in the Naval Air Reserve. I attended 1 weekend each month and 2 weeks every summer for 6 years. Then I was placed on stand by for 2 more years. May I be buried in a National Cemetery?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2018 2:22 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 May 2018 14:22:47 -0400

91 days basic training, 180 days active duty 9/6/72 to 3/4/73

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2018 1:04 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 May 2018 13:04:35 -0400

I served 8 years in the army reserved , never went to war but was in training during desert storm. I’m trying to see if I qualify for a VA loan but not sure if I am considered a Veteran! I trained for almost 6 months is that not enough active duty time ?

Response by SPC Kirk Williams made May 31 at 2018 7:31 PM

SPC Kirk Williams — Thu, 31 May 2018 19:31:41 -0400

Anyone honorably discharged from any branch of the service is technically considered a"Veteran". And serving during wartime doesn't make a stink of difference without imminent danger pay. But all of our people deserve the respect of the uniform the put on. All the jobs are important. You can't pull the trigger without someone, somewhere, loading it from a dock, bringing it to your AO, and getting it to you.

Response by Cpl Jennifer Slover made Jun 12 at 2018 8:15 PM

Cpl Jennifer Slover — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 20:15:54 -0400

If it's 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year. It doesn't count. Only consecutively serving a minimum of 180 days or more full-time active duty, can a reservist be concidered a Veteran. Not part-time reserve duty.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2018 1:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 13:32:48 -0400

I was in the army national guard for 9 years am I vet

Response by CPL Eddie J Costillo made Jan 21 at 2019 6:34 AM

CPL Eddie J Costillo — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 06:34:32 -0500

Every Soldier should be a Veteran
Boot Camp. MOS Qualified.
Reserves 3 active 3active Reserve.

Response by PFC Tom Hunter made Mar 18 at 2019 1:34 AM

PFC Tom Hunter — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 01:34:16 -0400

We are never considered veterans till we,are called to active till then we are useless to them

Response by PO3 Aaron Hassay made Oct 9 at 2019 7:23 PM

PO3 Aaron Hassay — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 19:23:15 -0400

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8kdZGypGzk1bHdQa2dVWFdrX2M

1994 2016 Hassay Social Security Income Record.pdf

Response by PO1 David Hedenberg made Oct 11 at 2019 9:10 AM

PO1 David Hedenberg — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 09:10:15 -0400

20 years 6 months plus 20 years in the Fleet Reserve. The only active duty besides 20 summer cruises and 12 weekends for those 20 years and 6 months was Boot Camp and "A" school. When I was transferred to the Fleet Reserve I was told my title was now PO 1st USNR-ret. We have a VA loan for our home and every month Uncle Sugar sends me a Retirement Check. When I visit my "Real Warrior" children on post, The Gate Guard says Thank You for your service after he sees my ID. Am I a "vet" I don't know but I do know for a large number of those years the MIlitary was looked at as something less than Whale ++++. I and my shipmates did whatever and when where ever we were asked just like the "Real Warriors". When asked I stand up and admit I served. I also say those were the best years of my life and would jump to do it all again.

Response by Maj Blake D made Oct 13 at 2019 12:15 PM

Maj Blake D — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 12:15:51 -0400

Obama signed a bill that classified 20+ year retired reservists as "Honorable Veterans." The VA does not recognize this designation for VA health benefits, or job priority (i.e. points), or classification on other civilian jobs as a "veteran" unless the 180 day Active Duty requirement is met. This requirement does not include "training" days of UTAs, Basic, summer camp, or Tech Schools.
This excerpt is from the Congressional Research Service, 2016: "To be eligible for VA benefits, members of the National Guard and the reserve components must meet the same standards as other claimants. In many cases, however, they do not meet the active duty standard or length of service standard and are therefore ineligible for VA benefits. Members of the National Guard and reserves who are never activated for federal active duty military service do not meet the active duty requirement. National Guard and reserve members who are called to active duty and serve the full period for which they are called meet both the active service and length of duty requirements. National Guard and reserve members also qualify as veterans for the purposes of VA benefits if they are disabled or die from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty." As you can see, there is no mention of retirement eligibility as well.

Response by Cpl Jennifer Slover made Nov 11 at 2020 8:53 AM

Cpl Jennifer Slover — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 08:53:21 -0500

When you are activated and deployed during a conflict for a minimum of 180 consecutive days. Then you can claim Veteran status