Am I a Veteran?

[Hunter8282]

In high school I enlisted in the MI ARNG. I completed basic training the summer between my junior and senior years and then completed AIT after graduation. Each was 8 weeks long as I recall and then off to college.

I was on a 6x2 contract. I was never deployed or activated. Just weekend drills and 2 weeks in the summer. After the 6 years I got out and have an Honorable Discharge.

In trying to research this I came upon this document. fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42324.pdf

It's states: By statute, a "veteran" is defined as a "person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable."2
2 38 U.S.C. § 101(2); 38 C.F.R. § 3.1(d).

Is that in and of itself the core definition of a "veteran?" does my basic training and AIT satisfy this requirement?

I keep reading things about 180 days active service or during other set time periods. I once applied for an got approved for a VA home loan (though we did not use it). I am pretty certain I do not qualify for any other VA benefits such as medical, etc.

I have never considered myself a veteran but people have asked on and off through the years and I never really know what to say. I typically just say that I was in the ARNG.

I am humbled by all veterans and don't want to diminish their earned respect! THANKS to all you veterans!

 

[vt_shooter]

It would appear that in some contexts you are a veteran and in others you are not. Maybe when the topic comes up you can just say your served in the national guard and leave it at that?

 

[Bkreutz]

If you weren't a veteran, you wouldn't have gotten a Honorable Discharge. (you have to be in to get out)

 

[litenlarry]

Interesting...To me if you wore the uniform, you are a Vet....

 

[Alpo]

My opinion, to be a veteran you have to have been in the military. I've seen people say you had to fight to be one, but that's a COMBAT veteran.

Last I looked, National Guard was military, so YES, you are a veteran.

 

[legelegel]

By statute, a "veteran" is defined as a "person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

In general, active service means full-time service, other than active duty for training, as a member
of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the
Public Health Service, the Environmental Science Services Administration or the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or its predecessor, the Coast and Geodetic Survey.

Prior to September 8, 1980, there was no minimum length of service necessary to be considered a
veteran for most VA benefits. However, for an individual who enlisted after September 8, 1980,
there are now certain minimum length of service requirements. The general requirement is either
24 months of continuous active duty or the "full period" for which the servicemember was called
or ordered to active duty

It appears that your 6 years of military service qualified you for a VA Home loan. Since you did not have any active duty service you would not be classified as a "Veteran" per se.

If someone ever asks you again if you are a Veteran, I would tell them this: "Yes, I served my county in the Army National Guard for 6 years."

 

[DR505]

Does the NG receive a DD-214?

 

[Hunter8282]

I do have a DD 214 but it looks like it was just releasing me after AIT from Ft Leonard Wood MO.

 

[11B Lifer]

214, discharge=you're a veteran. You were on active duty during your training. If you had been injured while in training, drill, or activation (like the National Guard or Reserves going into theater) you qualify for VA benefits-treatment. There are other differences in benefits etc. I 'm retired Army so I have a retired ID-and of course different benefits-but you are a brother Veteran- and thank you for for serving in the Guard. I always felt it took some sand for someone to be in the Guard and work a civilian job-
Some of the first casualties from the current conflicts were from the 39th Seperate Infantry Brigade-Little Rock Arkansas-

 

[OFT II]

If you weren't a veteran, you wouldn't have gotten a Honorable Discharge. (you have to be in to get out)

That says it all.

Thanks for your service.

 

[joeintexas]

In my humble opinion I would say you are a veteran. And I thank you for your service.

 

[Milpolice]

If you raised your right hand and took the oath of enlistment, served, and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, then hell yea, you are a vet. Thanks for serving.

 

[walnutred]

As far as most of us are concerned, yes. As far as the VA is concerned, maybe. I read in the American Legion magazine a month or so ago that they are trying to get the VAs definition broadened to include National Guard and Reserves that were not deployed or otherwise activated into Federal service. I hope they get that accomplished.

 

[CH4]

If you raised your right hand and took the oath of enlistment, served, and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, then hell yea, you are a vet. Thanks for serving.

Yeah, what he said!

 

[UncaGrunny]

+1. Honorable Discharge from an armed uniformed service = veteran, and don't let the legalese surrounding efforts to limit access to benefits make you think any differently.

If you'd been called, you would have gone. If you would've paid the ferryman's price in the process, you'd be entitled to the same honors anyone who stepped up are rendered.

Thanks for your service. Tomorrow is your day every bit as much as any other veteran's.

 

[DR505]

Hunter8282 - Don't forget to fly Old Glory tomorrow, it is in honor of you as well!

 

[Seanhagerty]

You wrote and signed that check. payable to the "United States of America" for any amount, up to and including your life.

You sir, are a veteran. Be proud. Enjoy your day tomorrow.

 

[LTC]

I see no reason to not consider you a veteran. You chose to serve, the government chose to not call you into active service.

You sir are as much a veteran as any of us who served on active duty.

Enjoy our day tomorrow and remember a few of your comrades.

LTC
Sgt. USAF 1966 - 1970

 

[DeathGrip]

I went to basic and AIT with guard and reserve.


Reserve and NG serve.

Regular Army serve.

Things can go bad here as well as elsewhere.

Once you take the oath and sign the papers you're Uncle Sams and he might have other plans.

You served.

Thank you for your service.

 

[Papa32129]

Thank you for your service.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[S42N8]

+1. Honorable Discharge from an armed uniformed service = veteran, and don't let the legalese surrounding efforts to limit access to benefits make you think any differently.

If you'd been called, you would have gone. If you would've paid the ferryman's price in the process, you'd be entitled to the same honors anyone who stepped up are rendered.

Thanks for your service. Tomorrow is your day every bit as much as any other veteran's.

+1

Very Respectfully,
Lt Col (Ret.)

 

[4011]

Congratulations Sir! You are a Veteran. A salute to you and all those that served.

 

[Springfield Bob]

To hunter8282 Sir, with all due respect to be a Vet one who is in the national guard would have had to serve at least 180 days on ACTIVE duty to qualify. The national guard is under the governor of your state
not the President unless called up for 180 days of active duty by the President. Springfield bob

 

[LostintheOzone]

In many cases, members of the Guard and the reserves may not have fulfilled the "active duty"
requirement. Members of the Guard and reserves who have never been activated for federal
active duty military service, and consequently have not served on regular federal active duty, do
not meet the active duty requirement for the definition of a veteran for VA benefits.

Also dates are important. You didn't give us any dates. Has to be in a period of conflict like Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. Those dates are set in stone.

I know that lots of guard units were deployed to Iraq and Astan. If your unit was deployed for the required time then you qualify as a vet.

It's the luck of the draw if you are reserve or NG. You signed up and you could be deployed at any time but if you aren't then your status is different.

There are even different classifications of vets. Those that didn't serve in country and those that did. Benefits will be different for even those vets.

You served. That's what matters to most of us vets. Thank you.

 

[red14]

To hunter8282 Sir, with all due respect to be a Vet one who is in the national guard would have had to serve at least 180 days on ACTIVE duty to qualify. The national guard is under the governor of your state
not the President unless called up for 180 days of active duty by the President. Springfield bob

I joined the Naval Air Reserve in 1969. I went to Boot Camp, then to the Aircraft Electrician school in Jacksonville Florida, and graduated. I went to one weekend a month and a tour of 2 weeks every year until I was discharged in 1975.

In the late 70s at work I entered a program for veterans to get a chance of early promotion. I was told that I was not qualified. My time in school was not considered active duty so I did not qualify for that program or any G.I. Bill benefits. Of course my recruiter told me that my school was NOT considered active duty and I would be eligible for benefits. I have not felt like a veteran ever since.

 

[kmyers]

You signed your name on the dotted line with being sent into combat a possibility at the discretion of the government. That makes you a veteran. You were willing to sign up knowing you might go which is the deciding issue.

 

[JohnSW]

Also dates are important. You didn't give us any dates. Has to be in a period of conflict like Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. Those dates are set in stone.

I know that lots of guard units were deployed to Iraq and Astan.

In contrast, if memory serves, during the Vietnam Era, being in the National Guard guaranteed that you would not be sent to Vietnam.

 

[Straightshooter2]

If you raised your right hand and took the oath of enlistment, served, and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, then hell yea, you are a vet. Thanks for serving.

This! You were subject to call to active duty and deployment, it just didn't happen.

CW

 

[Rock185]

Well, as far as I'm concerned, you're a veteran. You were sworn in, trained, showed up as required, got an Honorable Discharge and a DD-214. I can see why the Govt. would jack the definition around to avoid providing benefits if at all possible.....

 

[rwsmith]

My brother.....

My brother was in the Air Force and spent all of his time except basic in our home town working in a radio shack like a day job except for inspections and other military stuff, even had his fiance in the same town. Plum? Yes, but still a vet. If he was told to ship (plane?) out he would go where they told him.