Do National Guard members get veteran status?

PO3 Chris Stone — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 03:54:42 -0400

I''m fixing to become commander of my American Legion post and I have active duty National guard that would like to become members of our post but because theyarenot actually in the Army,I don't know.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 4:20 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 04:20:54 -0400

PO3 Chris Stone Here are a couple links that might help you make your decision. Good luck.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/101

http://molegiondistrict4.org/eligib.html

38 U.S. Code § 101 - Definitions

Amendment of section by section 2(a) of Pub. L. 115–55 applicable to all claims for which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs provides notice of a decision under section 5104 of this title on or after the later of 540 days after Aug. 23, 2017, or 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits to Congress a certification of certain capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out the new appeals system established by Pub. L....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 25 at 2018 4:29 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 04:29:42 -0400

I actually sent that in at one point...one of the assoc pastors of the Pentecostal church we go to was ARMG, drilling during zvietmam, yet was told me couldn't qualify for anything under VA, odd as the might seem, so CE he was never Federally called up, and drilled under state funds, though that might sound incongruous...another friend was a SUNY Marimte grad who'd been USMR, getting out as am O-4, and yet he was basically told essentially the sa!e thing, I also looked into the whole thing and found out that what they'd both new told was, in fact, essentially correct, though I'm still scratching my head trying to figure out why, you know?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 25 at 2018 6:09 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 06:09:47 -0400

The state of Michigan recognizes them as veterans, after 20 yrs, so does the Federal side.

Response by Cpl Tom Surdi made Mar 25 at 2018 9:51 AM

Cpl Tom Surdi — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 09:51:06 -0400

Found this link while checking out other links people posted. Nat'l Guard members can only be recognized federally as a veteran if they have been deployed and if they received a DD-214

""Members of the National Guard and Reserves may be considered veterans if they were deployed under Title 10 (Federal Orders) and complete that deployment and are issued a DD-214 (discharge) under honorable conditions. People who just serve in the National Guard and Reserve without a federal deployment are usually not eligible for veterans benefits, unless they were injured during their basic or advanced training or while on weekend drill or the two-week summer training. They must have reported the injury, filed a claim with the VA, and been rated as disabled for that injury.""

If he meets those he can join, if not then no.

https://www.dailyrepublic.com/opinion/local-opinion-columnists/who-qualifies-as-a-veteran-anyway/

Who qualifies as a veteran, anyway?

Over the years I’ve heard many ideas of what people think a veteran is and what they had to do to get this status.Some people with an honorable discharge do not think they are a veteran because they only served for two years, did not serve in combat or were not injured in the service. Women and peo

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 10:25 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 10:25:41 -0400

I would think the question is how long have you served on active duty. They would show a DD214. When I graduated from basic and AIT I received a DD 214. When I got back home I went to school where I received financial assistance from the veterans office.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 25 at 2018 11:37 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 11:37:38 -0400

Damn it All branches of service are qualified to join- read the joining regs, about signing them up. If they served and or deployed, and tons of them have.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Mar 25 at 2018 2:29 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 14:29:00 -0400

... You should really check out the Article I wrote for the Command Post about this very subject...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 4:26 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 16:26:44 -0400

PO3-I am the First Vice Commander and acting Commander for our Post. The short answer to your question is yes; NG members can (and should) be enrolled in the Legion.

The "Long Answer" is a bit more complicated, but is available from a variety of Legion publications.

https://www.legion.org/membership/faq

The only stipulations that I'm aware of is that a member be a veteran who served at least one day during a time of conflict under federal jurisdiction.

Membership: Frequently Asked Questions | The American Legion

Eligibility Questions To be eligible for membership in The American Legion, you need to have been assigned to at least one day of federal active duty service any time during the eligibility periods as determined by U.S. Government, and received an honorable discharge/discharge under honorable conditions, or currently serving in one of the U.S. Armed Forces. Are you eligible? Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding American Legion...

Response by MSG Darold R. made Aug 4 at 2022 3:05 AM

MSG Darold R. — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 03:05:07 -0400

Are you kidding me??? Your going to be the Commander and don’t know if AD National Guard Soldiers are Veterans… Please!!!

Response by MSG Darold R. made Aug 4 at 2022 3:06 AM

MSG Darold R. — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 03:06:49 -0400

I forgot to say this… If their not in the Army

Response by CSM Bruce Cuppett made Mar 25 at 2024 4:35 PM

CSM Bruce Cuppett — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 16:35:33 -0400

When your a member of the Army National Guard you have served both your State and your Nation and all active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserves are part of the Total Army Force.