Ex-Military and Retired Vets?

Forest Holiday — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 18:03:54 -0400

Ex-Military and Retired Military is a highly debated topic in my family. As someone who is enlisting currently, I am conflicted about this matter. One side argues that "Ex-Military" means you where dishonorable discharged and claims the term "retired" or just veteran is the correct way to say it. The other side claims it really doesn't matter. Both sides have service members and non-service but it really doesn't seem to end it.

Response by SrA John Monette made Sep 12 at 2018 6:09 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 18:09:21 -0400

I've never considered myself to as exc-military. former military? yes. veteran? definitely. I don't think it matters either way. kind of like potato potahto

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 12 at 2018 6:12 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 18:12:36 -0400

Forest Holiday Not that big a deal unless you're talking about a Marine "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" Now I could call myself Ex-Military but that isn't very Accurate, More Accurate would be Retired Military but even better is How I Sign. CTO1 Wm "Chip" Nagel USN(R) Navy Spook/Spy Extraordinaire at Your Service.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2018 6:32 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 18:32:59 -0400

There are no Ex-Marines. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. Most folks that served think of themselves as veterans rather than Ex-military. If you served, you are a veteran. If you served for 20 or more years, you are retired. What branch are you enlisting in, and when?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 12 at 2018 8:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 20:38:31 -0400

I think there can be a veteran who fucked up.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 12 at 2018 10:21 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 22:21:43 -0400

If you have a set of orders that says you are retired, then you are retired. Medical or otherwise. Really not a debate. If you did not retire, you are prior service. Ex-military...I guess when you separate from the service, it's kind of like a divorce...I could take it or leave it.

Here is the VA legal definition of veteran. https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/veterans.asp

Let them flounder around.

veterans.asp

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2018 11:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 23:31:07 -0400

Forest Holiday I bet your family gatherings are fun lol

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Sep 13 at 2018 7:43 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 07:43:56 -0400

This is a case of semantics. Say whatever and if someone gets butthurt it is probably because they are an idiot.
Personally, I prefer to use the phrase "former soldier [or airman, seaman, guardsman, marine]". Ex does have a strange negative connotation to it. Retired is a whole category by itself; those who carry the blue ID card that says retired are in a slightly disjointed category from those who simply ETS'd out.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Sep 13 at 2018 8:36 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 08:36:54 -0400

Anyone who served is considered a Veteran. That doesn't mean that they served honorably though. Bad boys in prison at Fort Leavenworth are still veterans. Now, when you are talking about the VA's definition of Veteran, it is very different. Retired is a different thing altogether. All retired service members are Veterans, but very few Vets are also retirees.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Sep 13 at 2018 2:59 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 14:59:52 -0400

Probably not that big a deal..... However growing up I was taught that the way to refer to veterans in introductions was either to call them Former: Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman or Coasty if they were honorably discharged or Retired: Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman or Coasty.
EX was reserved for those dismissed with less than honorable or dishonorable discharges. This made a difference to my Dads friends who had served as Marines and they had no qualms correcting you if you called them EX.