How long do you think someone has to be in the military to be considered a veteran?

Question

My friends and I were discussing this, and we want to hear from everyone else. is one war good enough, or do you have to be "married to the millitary"?

Answer 1

i think to be a vet all u have to do is be in the military

Answer 2

Technically just being in the military during a time of war makes one a veteran...however..personally..I think you should serve more than 4 years. i can't stand the little 4 year enlistees that go in for the college money and then ***** about having to deploy. i think you should have to make some kind of commitment to the military to receive the distinction of veteran not just sign up for the GI Bill, serve 4 years and get out.

But like I said, that's just me! My father retired as a CMSgt after 30 years, my husband has only been in for 3 years (been deployed 3 times now) and has already planned on the AF as his career.

Answer 3

The meaning of "veteran" changed a couple years back it used to mean that you had to go to war, but now, you are considered a veteran for just being in the military.

Answer 4

I believe just 6 months active duty is enough time to be considered a Vet and you don't have to serve in combat duty or even during time of war. It sounds like your talking about lifers who make a career out of the military. Having served during a war though might mean more entitlements.

Answer 5

Officially, I think the VA lists a bare minimum 24 months. My personal opinion is just long enough to get shot at. Until you are shot at it is just a job with a dress code. That is not to say that there aren't a lot of really dedicated people doing great things worthy of being recognized out there in the non-combat MOSs of the service. I just always feel, personally, that both Veteran's Day and Memorial Day are really for the same folks because they deserve it more then the rest of us. Most of my friends and family who also served feel the same way. My father, who is as proud of his service as anyone, doesn't even acknowledge himself as a vet even though he spent 30 years in the Army before retiring as a little bird. He says "What do I don't need a parade for?"

Answer 6

As long as you do your time, and are honorably discharged you are considered a veteran. It should stay this way. I don't think you need to be in any war or be a lifer in the military. You did your time.

Answer 7

To be a veteran, all you ought to do is serve in the militia each time everywhere. To be a conflict veteran, you ought to serve for the duration of a conflict, in a wrestle area or no longer. To be a wrestle veteran you ought to serve in a wrestle area for a required time, i think of its approximately a hundred and eighty days for many circumstances.

Answer 8

Anyone who has served in the military and received an honorable discharge is considered a veteran.

There are different levels of service, and experiences. Today, in these times of strife, it is clear why an honorably discharged person is considered a veteran, you are always subject to call up, and you need to be combat ready in your MOS.

I salute our military, every branch, and all of their families.

Answer 9

A veteran can be an era veteran, meaning a war occured, but didn't paticipate or a veteran of a war....Generally anyone past their first enlistment can be called a veteran.

Answer 10

I would say "Active duty and actively engaged during any hostile action". I would personally like to see this to those who finish their time and not the wimp outs. I am a Viet vet by definition as I wasa active duty during the conflict. I ran or participated in communication operations that directly affected the situation at that time. Though I was never "in country" as I stayed stateside, I was still there in support of my "in country brothers and sisters".

Answer 11

having served in the military makes you a veteran. if someone is in for 1 week and something happens that they can't continue...their a veteran...doesn't seem quite fair does it?