I've learned much over the past 53 years by asking questions which would seem elementary. Here's one: What is the definition of "veteran"? Is any servicemember who served active duty during wartime a veteran? Is a "combat veteran" a term restricted to those veterans who served in a designated combat zone, or must the combat veteran have served in a combat unit itself in a combat zone? Lastly, are there legal definitions (statutes or regulations) defining the use of "veteran" and "combat veteran"?

Thanks for any insight.

HH

A Veteran is any one that served with honor in the Military.
A Combat Veteran is someone that has served with Honor in a combat zone.
A War Veteran is anyone that Served with Honor during a War.
This is just M.O.

I agree with bakobill. When you join, you have no idea if you'll see action or not, it's part of the gig, if called you go. So in my mind, anyone that wears the uniform with honor earns the respect of being called a veteran.

quote:

Originally posted by bakobill:
A Veteran is any one that served with honor honorably in the Military.
A Combat Veteran is someone that has served with Honor honorably in a combat zone.
A War Veteran is anyone that served with Honor honorably during a War.
This is just M.O.

Just a small change.

Only veterans are entitled to VA benefits, and I believe the VA website outlines what those requirements are.

Thanks much for the feedback, and great point on searching the VA site for legal definitions.

I'm helping my son prepare a resume' for a civilian job search now that his NCS active duty phase is nearly over. He's been rightly concerned about proper terminology and especially not claiming unearned status (the guy wouldn't even wear the "Seabee" T-shirt I bought him while he was in DEP--"I'm not a Seabee yet, Dad"). Using terms properly with respect to normal usage and legal definitions is crucial to this project.

Thanks again.

HH