WHY Are certain Veterans NOT considered veterans???

Question

I served in the US Navy from 1982 - 1986 . However when it comes to certain entitlements and veterans preference (for jobs or otherwise) , I am not eligible for many of these . There is a period from after Vietnam in 1975 to the Gulf War 1991, that people are not given veterans status . This would include men who were in Beruit, Grenada , Gitmo , 38th parrallel, Berlin Wall or anywhere else where men were deployed in service to this country . Although this was a time of relative peace , a presence was always required in other parts of the world . There was as much risk of a breakout of any kind of hostilities ,as there was prior to the break out of The Gulf war . It was also the buildup of the US military at this time , that created a arms race with the Soviets , that brought about thier demise . I am of the opinion , that because of the sheer numbers of men that served during this time . The policy of this government is to save money by denying these men entitlements they r owed

Re Malus - I'm sorry but your reply is not correct .In fact it is just the opposite . A foot soldier, sailor or otherwise who left the service on the day prior to outbreak of hostilities of the Gulf War are less entitled than a Mess cook , who may have been on duty peeling potatoed in Idaho somewhere the day after outbreak of hostilities . .

The main reson I pose this question in addition to its inherent unfairness , is my frustration in obtaining ( Now get this) citizenship . Yep , In short , I was born in another country , brought here at 3 months of age , was always led to believe I was an American . However when going for a US passport , I was told otherwise . Immigration laws for citizenship for veterans goes by the same criteria with which I am now frustrated with . So in 1984 or whenever the last amnesty was granted to illegals , I was stationed on the bottom of a US warship somewhere . So I get no preference even to become an American . I will now have to wait years to become an American . Please dont tell me I have no other options , there are none . But if i was considered a veteran , I could no problem . In case anybody wonders , I did recieve an honorable discharge

Answer 1

Have you been to a Vet organization? They can give you the correct facts concerning all of the benefits you are entitled to.

Many Vet organizations are very good, but you need to pick one where they are up on their training concerning benefit eligibility. The honest truth: As well meaning as many Vets are that work as Volunteers, I have met more than a few that were not all that helpful when it came to telling me the correct facts.

Find a Vet organization that can help that is more than just a social outlet. I have found that a lot(not all) of the NSO's at DAV were VERY helpful. Like anyplace you go, some were rude, some not so helpful, some offices were swamped and some were calm and orderly. I suggest finding a calm friendly DAV location to seek help from.

However, despite anything seemingly negative I may have mentioned, I think that DAV is the best one out there for recent Vet's as they are staffed by recent era frequently trained Vets almost 100%. Membership is free and their help is cost free, although I would recommend that you become a Life Member to help them out (100 dollars that can be paid over time)

It was the best 100 bucks I have ever spent.

Do it. Do NOT eat yourself up with worry over this any longer.

Answer 2

The term Veteran originally referred to military personnel whose enlistments included a period when a military action (war) was taking place, and the US has provided some type of benefits, if only a pension back to revolutionary times. It wasn't until after the Civil War that UNION Veterans were provided medical care, the soldiers of the Confederacy were granted NO veterans benefits. War Risk Insurance Act of 1914 to insure American ships and
their cargoes.
So called veterans benefits were expanded when The War Risk law was amended in mid-1917 to provide insurance against loss of life, personal injury or capture by the enemy of personnel on board American merchant ships

Public Health Service operated a few hospitals but, up to the armistice, most medical care
for veterans was provided in armed services hospitals. The military hospitals, however,
were too burdened to keep all patients through recovery. Many were released from the military hospitals well before they should have been to make room for the wounded coming back from Europe. Vets with dismemberment, vision, hearing, and other permanent disabilities were eligible for vocational rehabilitation and they remained in the military until that rehabilitation was completed.
The Veterans Administration was not even created until 1930 and throughout the 1930s. laws were enacted and then repealed that affected veteran benefits.
The G.I. Bill, enacted in 1940 was the beginning of that has evoved into the

Answer 3

As I understand it, in order to get full benefits, you must have either served in a combat zone or made a career of the military, I served in the army from 76 to 79 and the navy from 79 to 83 and I don't qualify for many things, my father, who spent 30 years in the service, gets everything he had on active duty. Just being in the military doesn't really mean that much as far as benefits are concerned. however, you should still get housing and education benefits, I did.......................I didn't read your full question before answering( sorry) you might want to talk to an attorney that specializes in immigration laws, if you've been here your whole life and served in the military there's got to be some overlooked option, don't rely on what immigration tells you.

Answer 4

What entitlements are you talking about? I get benefits from my peacetime veteran service. And am awarded points on the state job as a veteran. I get 5 points. Those with a service connected disability get more. But it doesn't matter when you served as long as it was an honorable discharge and you served at least 180 days.

I also get my medical care from the VA. And I'm entitled to a VA home loan if I want it.

Whoever you've been talking to wasn't steering you right.

Best Wishes,

Sue

Answer 5

I believe you are confused you are a veteran you said so when you stated you received a "Honorable Discharge" I think what you are trying to say is due to your time in uniform you missed what ever special entitlements a certain era might have received. The other day for example I saw where the regular Navy not brown water Navy from the Viet Nam era now are able to claim "Agent Orange" because planes , wind or run off might have affected them. I am sitting here covered with tumors from Agent Orange and was told that I get nothing. Don't you understand there are no winners, once they are through with us we are screwed. At the local VA hospital there is a ward of men with no control over their lower half they have to be manipulated to go to the bath room, the VA to save money have hired a company (instead of the male nurses who has been doing it) of foreign women. The men are distraught to the point of suicide, but no one cares. The public only wants to see us fight and then march home and "fade away"!

God Bless You (and thanks) along with Our Southern People.

Answer 6

In order get certain veteran preferences, you must have a campaign medal or served during periods of conflict (Vietnam, 1st gulf war, post 9/11). This is just the way that Federal law regarding veteran preferences is written

Answer 7

You mean like non-service connected disability?Just like the Viet nam era veterans.....you did not have to serve in country to be consider a Viet Nam era veteran. People abused the benefits. Unless you have served in a combat zone I do not think you should be entitled to extra benefits.

US Army Cavalry Scout 1984-1987

Answer 8

My dad served in the navy during Vietnam but was never sent to the Pacific. Instead he did 4 years in the Atlanic playing cold war games. Anyway, he never received any benifits either. A lot has to do with... He was never in a combat zone nor was he diabled to were the military had to release him. How ever, depending on the job you did you could claim disability. i.e. hearing loss....but your medical records have to show that. But if you are looking to have access to the base exchange, military hospitals or the base. Then you have to have retired from the military.

Answer 9

Sadly, the politicians of this country have always been about denying and minimizing the veteran's rights and priviledges. McArthur was called upon to roust the WW I veterans who'd set up a shanty town across the Potomac in the 1920s. In the early 1980's they cut back the retiree's benefits to where they're almost non-existant. Remember the Graham-Ruddman Act?

Answer 10

It may have something to do with a Veteran's position, authority, and time in the army/navy.

For example, if you were a field soilder for less then a month -- Your obviously not going to be considered a true Veteran.

If you were a highly ranked soilder that faught ni the war for two years, promoted every now and then, your gonig to be considered a true Veteran.

So it basically reflects on you on how long you served and what was your position.