What Makes a Person a Veteran?
The term "veteran" is often synonymous with courage, sacrifice, and service to one’s country. But what specifically makes a person a veteran? Is it the medals they earned, the battle scars they carry, or the stories they tell?
Defining a Veteran
The most straightforward definition of a veteran is simply someone who has served in the military. However, this definition raises more questions than it answers. Should we include those who only served for a short time, or those who have served in a non-combat capacity? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a more detailed definition:
A veteran means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
Service Requirements
To be considered a veteran, one must have had at least 90 consecutive days of active service during a war, imminent danger to national security, a presidentially-appointed_ combat theater, a meritorious discharge, a disability_, or honorable_.**
Here are some more specific requirements:
| Qualifying Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| World War I | Service between Apr 6, 1917 and Nov 11, 1918 |
| World War II | Service between Dec 7, 1941 and Dec 31, 1946 |
| Korean War | Service between Jun 25, 1950 and Jan 31, 1955 |
| Vietnam War | Service between Aug 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975 |
| Persian Gulf War | Service between Aug 2, 1990 and Apr 10, 1991 (and certain qualifying periods involving Kuwait and Iraq) |
Non-Combat Support
While many people believe that a veteran must have seen combat to be worthy of the title, non-combat support missions are also considered serving in the active military and therefore, qualifying as veteran status. These missions might include:
- Maintaining and supporting military vehicles and equipment
- Providing medical care, food, and shelter to military personnel
- Communicating vital military information to command structures
- Maintaining order and security in forward operating bases
- Supporting special operations
- Working in mortuary affairs
- Supporting disaster relief efforts
