Can You be a Veteran while still Serving?
The word "veteran" commonly evokes images of combat-hardened individuals who have served their country and, upon discharge, are revered for their bravery and dedicated service. However, being a veteran is not an automatic occurrence tied to solely the duration of one’s military service. In many cases, individuals can become a veteran simultaneously while still serving as an active-duty member, reserve component, or Coast Guardsman. In this article, we will dissect the intricacies of eligibility, definition, and context to understand the concept fully.
What is a Veteran?
Before clarifying the question, "What is a veteran, and how does one ‘earn’ the title?", we need to define ‘veteran’ clearly. The United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs defines it as "a military service member who has sufficient service and has been otherwise eligible for discharge or early discharge." This qualification includes not only those individuals who have completed their scheduled tour of duty but also those who have enlisted, been drafted, commissioned, or appointed** without finishing their full term."
Who is a Active-Duty Veteran?
Notably, members of the Armed Forces reserve or National Guardsmen, who are frequently activated or deployed, would fall under this category regardless of whether they are classified as full-time or part-time service members. Such individuals may have continuously served for years prior to deployment or served intermittently, accumulating creditable active-duty time upon returning to their reserve/combat training duties.
On the other hand, service members with less creditable time (lesser active-duty time) may still be considered veterans as long as they earned their Honorable Discharge or are eligible for DD Form 214 (Honorable Discharge Certificate.) Some examples of short-duration, creditable activities that count towards veteran designation include:
• Summer camps and training exercises, as well as (rarely) reserve unit meetings
• Brief stints in the regular Armed Forces before transitioning
• Inactive duty For Training (IDT – Annual two-week training stint) with the National
Guard, Army Reserve (USAR), Air Guard (AFRC), Air National Guard (AFRC), or reserve
• Active-guard-duty rotations (Temporary duty)
Who Is Not a Veterans?
To better discern eligibility, it’s instructive to examine those NOT classified as veterans:
– Pensioners/Families with Service-Exclusive Benefits: Individuals receiving exclusively Pension, Supplemental Survivor Benefits, education, vocational training, child education (e.g., GI Bill coverage, and other non-disabled or family-related benefits
– Service Members Terminated Prior to Completion for: Failure to meet specific criteria (e.g.Physical inability, Medical boards, misconduct, or simply for failure to meet mandatory age cutoffs
– Individuals with Non-Reimbursement-Eligible: Those who fall outside specific categories, resulting in lack of eligibility (Medicare, Medicaid coverage; or those participating in certain research/experimental trials)
These instances will not qualify the person as a veterinarian
Why is Accurate Designation Important for Military and Civilian-Life Implications?
There are substantial implications for correct designation, both during enlistment and post-service experience. This includes:
Benefits and Entitlements: Veterancy directly influences access to critical resources like healthcare, college aid, and job perks
Service Records and DD-FORM-214: Eligibility to receive a true veteran certificate (DDFORM 214) is solely tied to meeting the 180/90-day standard. Failing to grasp the differences (and relevance) between Enlisted vs. Officer statuses, discharge classifications, Service Code designations, Awards & Medals, unit-specific deployments, and post-Discharge activities can lead to inaccurately reflected military records causing unforeseen consequences
Emotional & Psychological Well-Being: Accurate and transparent labeling can significantly impede post-traumatic reintegration. Acknowledgements, and support specific to each individual’s profile enhance long-term mental overall health.
Conclusion: While commonly associated with separated veterans, the term covers active-duty personnel, individuals serving with the reserve/capital reserve, inducted through the draft/National Call-up, discharged honorably, or possessing qualifying DD Form 215/214. Clarifying what constitutes a ‘veteran’ is crucial for understanding the multitude of advantages, benefits packages, and post-service lifestyles associated with this esteemed profession. In conclusion, "can you be a Veteran while still serving?"YES!
