Are You a Veteran if Currently Serving?
Serving in the military can be a life-changing experience, providing individuals with skills, camaraderie, and a sense of purpose. But have you ever stopped to consider whether you can be considered a veteran even while still serving in the military?
The Definition of a Veteran
To answer this question, it’s essential to understand the definition of a veteran. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) defines a veteran as "a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under honorable conditions."
Current Serving
But what about individuals who are still serving in the military? Can they also be considered veterans? The answer is yes.
Title 38 Code Section 101(2)
In the United States Code, Title 38, Code Section 101(2) defines a veteran as follows:
"any person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, including the Florida National Guard, for ninety days or more, or during a period of war, and has a disability or service-connected death or is rated disabled by reason of their service…"
Key Point: Service vs. Honorably Discharged
The critical phrase in this definition is "discharged or released therefrom under honorable conditions." While this implies that individuals who have been discharged or separated from the military with honorable conditions can be considered veterans, it also implies that those still serving may not be considered veterans simply because they are not yet discharged.
Service Does Count
However, in the case of currently serving personnel, the period of service counts toward their status as a veteran. This means that individuals who have served in the military for at least 90 days or have completed their initial period of enlistment (such as two years for an Army enlisted person) are technically considered veterans.
Tables 1-3: Summary of the Definition of a Veteran
| VA Definition | Current Serving Status | Title 38 Code Section 101(2) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Current Serving | N/A | Serving in the active military | (included) |
| 2. Honorable Discharge | Honorable discharge from the military | (required) | |
| 3. Period of Service | ≥ 90 days | Completed initial period of enlistment | (includes 90 days) |
Table 2: Example Scenarios
| Scenario 1: Active Duty | Scenario 2: Separation with an Honorable Discharge | |
|---|---|---|
| Service Time | 6 months (still serving) | 2 years (honorable discharge) |
| Considered Veteran | Yes, based on 90 days | Yes, with honorable discharge |
| Additional Info | Includes eligibility for education benefits, home loan guaranties | Includes eligibility for healthcare benefits, vocational rehabilitation |
Important Consequences
Being considered a veteran, even while still serving, has important consequences:
- Benefits: Individuals who are veterans can be eligible for benefits such as education, home loan guaranties, healthcare, and vocational rehabilitation.
- Identity: Having served in the military can provide a sense of pride, identity, and community, which can be significant in personal and professional contexts.
Conclusion
In summary, being a veteran is not limited to individuals who have been discharged from the military. Current serving personnel can also be considered veterans, provided they have completed their initial period of enlistment (90 days) or are serving in the military.
Takeaways
• Currently serving individuals are veterans if they have completed their initial period of enlistment (90 days).
• Honorable discharge is not necessarily required to be considered a veteran.
• Serving in the military, whether honorable discharged or not, counts toward an individual’s status as a veteran.
• This definition applies to the United States and is guided by Title 38 Code Section 101(2) of the US Code.
