Need a little help: definition of "veteran"

[Ilsa]

Some people think that if you are a national guard service member, you are a veteran. My information from readin DU is contrary. Can anyone give me specifics?

[atreides1]

1. One Definition

Veteran:A person who has served in the Armed Forces.

And the last time I checked the National Guard was still part of the US Armed Forces.

[Racenut20]

2. I think it is 180 days active duty

[Spinzonner]

3. The trouble with asking that is that

the definition of the word is broad and not specific to military service or any particular kind.

What your asking is more in the nature of colloquial use and that's subject to the choices and pov of the speaker and hearer.

[Ilsa]

4. Would Bush be a Vietnam veteran, since he served

during that time period? Does serving in the National Guard count as serving in the Armed Forces?

[Leilani]

10. No,

You had to be in Vietnam, or on a ship, or flying a plane, supporting the Vietnam war.

Someone who served during Vietnam, but did not go, is called Vietnam era vet.

[olddem43]

5. A veteran is anyone who has served in the armed forces.

That would include NG.

[RobertSeattle]

6. I think active duty is key

http://www.equity.psu.edu/veterans/definition.asp

To be considered as an independent student, based on veteran status, the Department of Education uses the following definition:

A veteran is a former member of the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) who served on active duty and was discharged under conditions, which were other than dishonorable. There is no minimum number of days a student must have served on active duty to be considered a veteran. However, periods of active duty for training, pursuant to an enlistment in the National Guard or Reserves, do not qualify a student as a veteran. Thus former or current members of the National Guard or Reserves are not considered to be veterans unless they had prior or subsequent service with an active component of the Armed Forces. (Reservists called to active duty by Executive Order qualify as veterans.) Since the DD Form 214 is issued to those leaving the active military as well as to members of the National Guard and Reserves completing their initial active duty for training, possession of this document does not necessarily mean the student is a veteran.

Persons who attended military academies are now considered veterans for financial aid purposes.

[sffreeways]

7. My understanding

veteran, vet, ex-serviceman -- (a person who has served in the armed forces)

When a vet dies like when my father or my son died their were military present to give us a flag. You also get medallions to mark their graves. Service is service I do believe that National Guard service is included in the term Veteran. It is as far as I am concerned.

My Dad was Navy and my Son was a Marine.

[TheSuaveOne]

8. A veteran of what?

The armed forces, or of foreign wars(as in VFW)? Kinda makes a difference...la

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. It's a much overvalued part of a resume.

Being a veteran doesn't endow one with any greater politcal insight than anyone else. Just as being a "businessman" doesn't make one any more a good politician than anyone else. It's good for posing as someone who "served" their country once and therefore should be allowed to "serve" it again whether qualified or not.

Sort of like someone who had an operation who now says that he should be able to practice medicine.

BTW - USMC '61-'65

[TheSuaveOne]

11. But...

...it is one of those things like being the member of a fraternity that can help you get a job. Being a vet ties many people together, just for the fact that they served together. I know many Marines that would never consider themselves as former or ex marines, they will always be marines. Hell, you guys even have your own little greeting...

I wish the Air Force had the camaraderie that the Marine do...la

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. EX-marine here.

The happiest day of my life was leaving "The Crotch" as we proud members referred to it. Another common phrase "Eat the apple, fuck the Corps". I was in the air wing, and I remember a bunch of us shivering in the fuel pits in Japan watching our planes land and giving the one finger salute as we shouted, "Dive! Dive!". Planes were frequently sabotaged so the more assholish pilots couldn't collect their beloved flight pay. Our "brother" grunts (the infantry) were looked upon as brainless knuckle draggers too dumb to get a real job.

Not to say that there weren't the brainwashed ones who bought all the crap - scornfully referred to as "lifers" and adored by the officers whose asses they kissed.

Sorry to disillusion you. Joining the marines was the dumbest thing I have ever done and I'm certainly not proud of it. It does, however, come in handy when confronting military loving rightwingers, especially those chickenhawks who avoided the draft.

[prodigal_green]

14. I think the whole issue came up because chimpy

simply has NO concept of what it takes to run a war. At minimum, having been in a combat zone gives someone a little bit of insight. Also, the pukes usually paint Dems as "unpatriotic" because we are reluctant warriors, rather than aggressive chickenhawks.

As a woman who has never seen combat, I hope we get past this penis display pretty soon. I think in the long run it might have a detrimental effect on women politicians (she didn't serve in combat, therefore she is less qualified on issues of defense and national security).

[ET Awful]

12. I was in the military for more than 8 years and I do NOT consider myself

a veteran.

I've always considered a veteran to be someone who served in a combat zone myself. I may be wrong, but that's my take.

[prodigal_green]

13. You would/should still be eligible for veteran's benefits

The fact that you made yourself available for combat and prepared to defend this country and happened to be lucky enough not to fight does not diminish your status as a veteran.

[trof]

15. Had never considered my self a veteran, never really thought about it,

but I was convinced otherwise by the "active duty" vets here.
I served as a pilot in the Air National Guard for 7+ years.
I was in the Inactive Reserves, subject to call up, for who knows how many years.

Hangng on my wall are my Commission as a Second Lieutenant signed by LBJ, a Certificate of Aeronautical Rating signed by the Secretary of the Air Force, and an Honorable Discharge signed by the Secretary of Defense.

And to top it off, yesterday a Veteran for Kerry pinned a "Veterans for Kerry" button on me.
I'm a veteran.

On edit: Because I was a guard troop, I am not eligible for any veteran's benefits.
Saved y'all a bunch of dough.
;-)