Should a PV1 who only made it through boot camp be considered a VETERAN?

2014-06-16T17:32:34-04:00

This probably stirs up the old argument about "who's a veteran and who's NOT a veteran"..... but it brings up a valid point and re-ignites the question: "Where do we draw the line?"

Does someone who apparently made it through boot but ended up being discharged for something other than a dishonorable discharge rate being a part of the discussion on anything in this forum? Or do we limit our discussions to a stricter standard?

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jun 16 at 2014 5:54 PM

2014-06-16T17:54:16-04:00

If an individual receives a DD-214 under conditions other than dishonorable they may be considered a Veteran for VA Benefit purposes. That is the pure definition of a vet. I do not see any point in discussing it any further on this forum because all it will do is upset me.

Most of the people on this forum put in many years in order to earn the designation. I would have to really know a lot more to be upset one way or another about this individual.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2014 2:31 AM

2014-06-19T02:31:11-04:00

I have submitted many discharge packets for processing. I give you this scenario from a National Guard perspective:
a) Individual enlists into the NG, gets a training seat reserved for BCT and AIT, unless they're a split-option. Split-ops go to BCT 1st then go to AIT later, typically happens for our HS seniors. For example if he/she cant adjust to military life and a lot of time this happens, AD will process them out as an Entry Level Separation, DD-214 in have with a disposition of their Characterization of Service as being "Uncharacterized", their orders will also have codes on them show their is no other military affiliation and RE-3 or 4 code on the DD-214.

Are they a veteran, not in my eyes and not according to current policies guidance etc. It's been my experience you are not a Soldier until you are qualified in your MOS. Now I could be wrong but there was a time that you had to serve 180 days to be considered a 'veteran'.

However it was an entirely different thing when it came to applying for veterans benefits, there are different requirements. If you were a Reservist or National Guardsmen, there was another set of criteria to meet to be eligible to apply for veterans benefits.

So to answer PO1 Medley, nope, washed out from basic training, not a Veteran.

Response by 1LT Shawn McCarthy made Jul 12 at 2014 11:35 PM

2014-07-12T23:35:37-04:00

It depends on why they got out.
I knew a female in basic, PVT Jokumsen (sp?) and she was hardcore. She was tough, kept up with most of the guys, dedicated, never gave up.
We were both going to Huachuca for AIT (I would be lying if I wasn't daydreaming about sunset walks in the desert) but that all ended one day.
The drill sergeants, with about a week left, had some scheduled 'prove a point' day about 'smelling the barn' and smoked the equestrian feces out of us.
They had us in a small room until we 'made the walls cry' with sweat. Then they had us running up and down the concrete stairs inside the barracks. People started falling. Eventually one of them took her out and she bounced off of a few stairs.
Broke her hip and damaged a few other things. She ended up being medically discharged and never technically got to complete basic training (even though she had met every requirement and we were basically done).
In my mind, she is a veteran.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2014 1:05 AM

2014-07-14T01:05:24-04:00

He or she is a vet.....move on to more important issues, unless you want to dwell in the technical details.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 5 at 2014 9:47 PM

2014-08-05T21:47:09-04:00

I thought you only earned veteran status by being deployed to a combat zone and/or putting in at least 20 years of service. Seeing this post and some of the responses shows there is obviously a need for more granular definitions, especially in light of VA compensation. I may be spit balling here, but I believe that folks that have not made it through basic & AIT - though given vet status - are not going to be the types to be there rubbing elbows at the VFW or American Legion with more, shall we say, "traditional" vets. I'm going to color now.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 9:57 PM

2014-08-05T21:57:50-04:00

I think if you served honorably and at least one contract you're a veteran. Deployments, 20 years TIS, and all that other stuff doesn't matter. You still wore a uniform and your country deemed your service honorable upon your discharge. That's a veteran.

Response by SPC Richard White made Aug 6 at 2014 3:20 AM

2014-08-06T03:20:35-04:00

This is a sticky question. I am speaking from a National Guard point of view.Those who have qualified in their particular MOS and were Discharged under Honorable circumstances maybe considered veteran as per the definition of a veteran.However for VA purposes you have to have 180 days Active duty for Va benefits.
If I were said PVT. I would not be going around saying I was a veteran.I may say something like I was in the military but circumstances kept me from serving a full term and I did at least try to do service to my country Honorably.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2014 7:07 AM

2014-08-06T07:07:06-04:00

Technically, yes, according to the appropriate laws and codes, I am pretty sure that almost everyone who has ever served in the military is a veteran.

Functionally, I tend to think it is limited to people who deployed to a combat zone. I don't consider myself a veteran.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Aug 6 at 2014 9:20 AM

2014-08-06T09:20:06-04:00

Well, in my experience, I have served a tour in Korea during the Gulf War. I did not think that I was considered a veteran since I served just under 2 years active duty, let alone a wartime veteran, just because I have gotten a National Defense Service Medal. I found out very quickly that I was not only considered a veteran, but a wartime veteran. They were still slow to give me my benefits but I got them. As far as the question at hand, I think you are considered a vet if you have at least one tour of duty. I have had the pleasure of "processing out" privates because they wanted to quit during AIT. Will they be considered vets? I don't think so.

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Aug 6 at 2014 10:26 PM

2014-08-06T22:26:17-04:00

In such a case, that person might meet the legal standard of "veteran," and entitle them to certain benefits (obviously, dependent on their discharge circumstances).

As for involvement on Rally Point, if that person is entitled to veterans benefits, such a person would probably benefit from connecting with other veterans if they have certain questions or need help navigating their benefits. And, of course, as they learn the system, can pass their knowledge along as well. Beyond that, however, there wouldn't be much reason for them to be here.