Veteran - definition

[TheReasoner]

I was just wondering, what IS a veteran according to the American definition? Is it enough to have served in the armed forces, is it dependent on your position in the armed forces? Does one have to have served abroad? Or does one have to have experienced combat?

I am wondering because I served as a corporal in the army (Military Communications) for some time. Yet I never spent any time abroad. Nor did I ever see any action (needless to say. There has been no real combat on Norwegian soil since WW2.). I have met some who insist they are veterans yet have never gone into action, yet I myself have not considered myself a real veteran since I never have seen real combat.

 

[jcook922]

It varies, my Chief has said repeatedly that anybody who has served is a veteran, and anyone who has seen combat is a combat veteran.

I think it's subjective, the VA(Veterans Affairs) provides services to all people in and former military, regardless of if they have seen combat or been abroad.

 

[TheReasoner]

It varies, my Chief has said repeatedly that anybody who has served is a veteran, and anyone who has seen combat is a combat veteran.

I think it's subjective, the VA(Veterans Affairs) provides services to all people in and former military, regardless of if they have seen combat or been abroad.

I like his distinction.

 

[jwu]

I like his distinction.

Yup, it sounds reasonable if one can make that distinction. Without that distinction and only one label "veteran" available, i'd apply it to anyone who had a realistic risk of being harmed by enemy action.

E.g.:
- Staff job at an supporting airforce base 1000 miles away from the actual theatre of operation: not a veteran

- Driver of a supply truck who never gets fired upon but might be harmed by landmines or booby traps: veteran.

 

[ACougar]

You have:

People who served in the military but stayed in the US.
People who served in the military overseas.
People who served in the military during war time.
People who served overseas during war time.
People who served in a combat zone but never engaged in direct combat.
People who participated in combat.

Then there are grey area places like Korea, where we are technicly still at war (only a ceasefire in place) however it isn't considered a combat zone.

A veteran is anyone who served in the military during a time of war and a combat veteran is anyone who served in a combat zone during a time of war.

 

[TheReasoner]

You have:

People who served in the military but stayed in the US.
People who served in the military overseas.
People who served in the military during war time.
People who served overseas during war time.
People who served in a combat zone but never engaged in direct combat.
People who participated in combat.

Then there are grey area places like Korea, where we are technicly still at war (only a ceasefire in place) however it isn't considered a combat zone.

A veteran is anyone who served in the military during a time of war and a combat veteran is anyone who served in a combat zone during a time of war.

Then by that definition I am a veteran. Even if I never left the country, and never have been in any real danger of being harmed by enemy activity. But we were at war when I served. Both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Still, I do not feel it really applies to me. I have too much respect for the people who do serve abroad. I do not agree that we should even BE in Iraq I do support my fellow soldiers there. Even if I do not respect the politicians who put them out there in the first place. Afghanistan is another thing entirely. I nearly applied to go there. Maybe I should have.

 

[jcook922]

Second trip to A-stan in 2011 for me, hopefully they've expanded Bagram a bit if that's where we end up again.

 

[ACougar]

You were a "combatant" even if you didn't realize it. A legal target (according to the laws of war) and you were to some extent a factor in the successful prosecution of those wars. That makes you a Veteran in my opinion, still... combat veterans deserve an extra measure of gratitude in my opinion. They weren't just a part of the spear, they were the tip of the spear.

Then by that definition I am a veteran. Even if I never left the country, and never have been in any real danger of being harmed by enemy activity. But we were at war when I served. Both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Still, I do not feel it really applies to me. I have too much respect for the people who do serve abroad. I do not agree that we should even BE in Iraq I do support my fellow soldiers there. Even if I do not respect the politicians who put them out there in the first place. Afghanistan is another thing entirely. I nearly applied to go there. Maybe I should have.