[ARCHIVED THREAD] - MILITARY VETERAN , please define (Page 1 of 6)
Posted: 7/4/2009 8:47:29 AM EDT
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Define "military veteran".
I would say anyone who was in any armed service that saw combat, or directly supported those who saw combat. Some definitions say anyone who was in the military. I start to question whether a person should be considered a veteran if he/she was a desk jockey during peace times, and never held a weapon more deadly than a sharp #2 pencil. I don't mind referring to hose people as "retired" whatever, but veteran seems to have a deeper meaning to me. Please educate me if I'm wrong. |
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When you sign up to serve, you sign up to serve. The day you ship you are saying I will give my life for this country. As individuals we have no control of political events that lead to war. You can sign up 11B and never see combat; you can sign up 42A and be caught in the firefight from hell. A veteran is a veteran is a veteran. |
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AH, I didn't realize there were different classifications of veterans. "veteran" simply means "served"? So there are "veterans", "combat veterans", and "war veterans". Any others? And veterinarians. For the longest time when I was young, I thought my family had a lot of animal doctors in it 
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The traditional definition of "veteran" was one who has been deployed outside the United States.
This could be babysitting a radar screen in Greenland, processing personnel paperwork at Ramstien, or checkpoint duty in Iraq during the summer of 2005. While all who serve are important to our nation, and DESERVING of every benefit they get upon separation from service, a guy who spends four years in Kansas working on Humvee's has not served in the same capacity as that chick from Iowa who was told MP's are not combatants, yet, she's been pulling convoy duty for six months and has seen more action than your dad did in the Marines in two tours in Vietnam. But the definition of "veteran", just like the defintion of "Great Lakes" has been bastardized by our government. Perhaps, the best definition is what those who have served our nation say it is. It's their fraternity. They may admit whom they deem worthy and well qualified. Happy Birthday, America. And THANK YOU to our military. |
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Nope, just Veteran and Combat Veteran. Anyone that sets a foot in the AOR is near instantly a veteran. The guys that actually were fired on and/or fired back are combat vets. In the eyes of the government there is no difference. Definitions get fuzzy here because technically if you did a combat tour, you're a combat veteran even if you don't have a CAR....some will disagree of course, and I get that.... |
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I agree with the concensus of the above posters:
Anyone who serverved (I would add HONORABLY) is a Veteran. Obviously,not all are combat veterans. Personally, I enlisted for 4 years, and served in the US Army as an 11B(Infantryman), and "they"never schedualed a war while I was in. That was obviously out of my controll. No CIB for me. I served my time,did not re-enlist,grabbed that Honorable discharge, and hit the ground running. 
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things:
-Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... |
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Anybody who has served. That's who I consider a veteran. You can join for whatever reasons, and be whatever you want to be, but, you don't always have control over where you are sent and what you end up doing.
Desk, Medical, Cockpit, Tank, Foxhole, Gate, Hell, Airplane washer, each is important and a part of the big picture. Not everybody gets a chance to be Richard Bong or Audie Murphy. |
| A Veteran is a Veteran is a Veteran. Stateside, overseas, doesn't matter, You can add modifiers, but a Vet is a Vet. With very few exceptions you don't get to pick where you go. I had a buddy in NROTC who came back from First Class Cruise with a Purple Heart and a Combat Action Ribbon, but didn't qualify for the Vietnam "I was there" medals/ribbons. (Mortar attack at an airfield, he was transiting through). |
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Define "military veteran". I would say anyone who was in any armed service that saw combat, or directly supported those who saw combat. Some definitions say anyone who was in the military. I start to question whether a person should be considered a veteran if he/she was a desk jockey during peace times, and never held a weapon more deadly than a sharp #2 pencil. I don't mind referring to hose people as "retired" whatever, but veteran seems to have a deeper meaning to me. Please educate me if I'm wrong. You're wrong. Any honorable military service is still a sacrifice and commitment to duty. If someone is going to shoot, someone has to order the ammo. Take the Navy for example, these days when a CVN goes to war the only people our of the 6000 people on board that may actually be in harms way are the pilots. It would be a disgrace to discredit the other 5900 people in favor of those few. ETA: I see from your other post that you are completely ignorant of the subject, youre question appears to have been answered with this: AH, I didn't realize there were different classifications of veterans.
"veteran" simply means "served"? So there are "veterans", "combat veterans", and "war veterans". Any others? |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... That's funny, that ain't how the VA defines a Veteran. |
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Define "military veteran". I would say anyone who was in any armed service that saw combat, or directly supported those who saw combat. Some definitions say anyone who was in the military. I start to question whether a person should be considered a veteran if he/she was a desk jockey during peace times, and never held a weapon more deadly than a sharp #2 pencil. I don't mind referring to hose people as "retired" whatever, but veteran seems to have a deeper meaning to me. Please educate me if I'm wrong. You are wrong. Military veteran is anyone that served in the .mil /thread |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... Gee, I was AD for 10 years and never saw combat. But I got a VA home loan. And what about the guys that served in Korea? The US Congress never declared 'war'. Why don't you find a survivor of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and tell him he is not a veteran? Your post is chock full of stupid. |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... So, you have to be a combat vet or retired .mil to get a VA loan? Guess you better tell that to the VA. Lots of guys who never saw combat get VA loans and use GI Bill school benefits. From your wording, I guess you think only those who served in "the Army" are vets as well. Tell us about your combat service. |
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Quoted: AH, I didn't realize there were different classifications of veterans. "veteran" simply means "served"? So there are "veterans", "combat veterans", and "war veterans". Any others? according to my job there are... Disabled Veteran – (1) A veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled for compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or (2) A person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability. Veteran of the Vietnam Era – A person who:
Other Protected Veteran – A veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, under the laws administered by the Department of Defense. Recently Separated Veteran – Any Veteran during the three (3) year period beginning on the date of such Veteran’s discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service. Armed Forces Service Medal Veteran – Any Veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a U.S. military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
according to my job I am a Veteran - Other (Cold War Veteran)   |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... Hate to break it to ya, bunkie..... I was in the Coast Guard. That may not mean much to you, but I've got a DD214 with my name on it. As far as the gummint and I are concerned.....I'm a veteran....... |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... Hate to break it to ya, bunkie..... I was in the Coast Guard. That may not mean much to you, but I've got a DD214 with my name on it. As far as the gummint and I are concerned.....I'm a veteran....... How does that apply to currently serving Coast Guard members? They're Department of Homeland Security now... would this translate into TSA screeners being considered veterans as well? |
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Quoted: Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... So long as they were honorably discharged, they are eligible to join the American Legion, a veteran's service organization. |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... Gee, I was AD for 10 years and never saw combat. But I got a VA home loan. And what about the guys that served in Korea? The US Congress never declared 'war'. Why don't you find a survivor of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and tell him he is not a veteran? Your post is chock full of stupid. I agree! Chock full of stupid! |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... Which branch did/are you serving in? Can you provide sources to the claim you make that those who served are not veterans? How about the guy that serves 15 years and is then released from active duty due to an injury during a training accident. I know guys who served 18 months and were injured and discharged, they have honorable discharges and collect veteran's benefits. They never saw combat and receive no retirement benefits. Please explain your first hand knowledge.. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I'm a COMBAT veteran. I'm just a veteran. A COLD WAR veteran. Yeah, I am too but I was also in during the Vietnam war, but was never in Vietnam - which make me a war era veteran  Seems to be a lot of hairsplitting. A veteran is anyone who served. You fought the war they gave you. It really only makes a difference at the VFW hall, whether you get in as a guest or a member. |
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Here you go...straight from a VA site. G O O G L E....
Veteran: Any individual who: served on active duty for other than training for a period of more than 180 days and was discharged or released there from with other than a dishonorable discharge; OR was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability; OR as a member of a reserve component served, under orders, on active duty during a period of war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge is authorized and was discharged or released from such duty with other than a dishonorable discharge. If you wore the uniform, you are a vet. |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... That's funny, that ain't how the VA defines a Veteran. Nope... He posted it on ARFCOM from his couch...therefore it is gospel... |
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Ok... people... it REALLY is THIS simple. Here is the DIVIDING LINE between civilians and military personnel, and veterans and non-veterans. it is called the UNITED STATES UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE... otherwise known as the UCMJ. If you have EVER held up your hand and swore an oath, under the UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE, to serve and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, from ALL enemies, foriegn OR domestic.... well... then you are a Veteran. Period. If you are STILL serving under the UCMJ... then you are NOT a civilian, you are military personnel. If you have been DISCHARGED, be it honorable, dishonorable, or other than honorable... you are NO LONGER military personnel, you are now a CIVILIAN. If you are a LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, working for a city, county, parrish, or state... you are a CIVILIAN, unless we are in a time of war or martial law and you have been duly sworn in under the UCMJ. So... cliff notes: UCMJ YES = military/veteran UCMJ NO = civilian/non-veteran There it is. The UCMJ is THE division line. Without it, you are merely a civilian.... people under the UCMJ have to adhere to a COMPLETELY different set of rules. I, for example, served in the USMC, sworn in under the UCMJ, received a Honorable Discharge, am a Veteran of the Armed Forces, but am a civilian now. Did I shoot anyone while in the Corps? Nope. Did I see combat? Nope. Am I a veteran? Yup. |
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Define "military veteran". I would say anyone who was in any armed service that saw combat, or directly supported those who saw combat. Some definitions say anyone who was in the military. I start to question whether a person should be considered a veteran if he/she was a desk jockey during peace times, and never held a weapon more deadly than a sharp #2 pencil. I don't mind referring to hose people as "retired" whatever, but veteran seems to have a deeper meaning to me. Please educate me if I'm wrong. A military veteran is anyone who was in the military. Essentially a veteran of military life. A combat veteran is someone who served in actual combat, hence being a veteran of combat experience. |
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I'm a vet
not everyone who serves gets to see combat, regardless of how much they would have liked to. And no, I wasn't a REMF either! I served during Cold War (including several less known deployments)
GW1 GW2 OIF/OEF GWOT there are quite a few things that have and are occurring, that most will never know about, people should be thankful for that our military was there. Just because there was no exchange of fire, doesn't mean lives were not at stake A vet is anyone who served their country |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... So, you have to be a combat vet or retired .mil to get a VA loan? Guess you better tell that to the VA. Lots of guys who never saw combat get VA loans and use GI Bill school benefits. From your wording, I guess you think only those who served in "the Army" are vets as well. Tell us about your combat service. Reported to basic in his mom's basement and was assigned to the World of Warcraft brigade... |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... I did 8 years in the Army without a war-time deployment yet received a VA loan for my home, use my GI Bill/ACR money, etc. I believe they should stillcover all of your VA benefits in detail when you ACAP. |
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Regardless of you civies "defining" veteran... you can only be a veteran if you do one of two things: -Retire from the mil. or -Serve in wartime. This is when "the Army" considers you a veteran and you are given "veteran's benefits" such as use of the VA healthcare/ home loans/ etc.... Calling every swingin' dick who's served a veteran is kinda stupid... Hate to break it to ya, bunkie..... I was in the Coast Guard. That may not mean much to you, but I've got a DD214 with my name on it. As far as the gummint and I are concerned.....I'm a veteran....... How does that apply to currently serving Coast Guard members? They're Department of Homeland Security now... would this translate into TSA screeners being considered veterans as well? The Coast Guard is one of the 5 uniformed services of the United States. It's members are subject to the UCMJ. It falls under DHS now, when I was in it was under the Dept of Transportation. It becomes part of the Navy during wartime or when otherwise directed. You should know that... Are you seriously comparing the Coast Guard to TSA screeners?
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