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OT---Am I a veteran?

J

JerryS

Well-known Member
JDSeller’s earlier post ordering up a roll call for the board’s veterans caused me to again ask myself, “Am I a veteran?” I was proud to wear this country’s uniform for six years. I was good at what I did, and I made staff sergeant E-6 my last year. But I’ve never really felt comfortable calling myself a veteran.

Why the question? I was an ER----a member of the Enlisted Reserve, and I was in it during the Vietnam years. It was 1965; I was just out of college and married. I was working. But when I got called up for my pre-induction physical I knew the inevitable result. Back then young men faced the draft, Vietnam or not. I decided I should try to go in on my own terms. My best pal (his circumstances were identical to mine) and I decided to enlist together into the Army OCS program. We saw the recruiter, took and passed all the tests and were assured we would be called up within a month.

I went back to my job and gave notice. They hired a replacement. I was putting my business in order. Then the recruiter called: a football knee that showed up on my physical knocked me out of OCS consideration. My knee was still good enough for ground-pounding, however.

Up to that point I had not even considered Reserve or National Guard. This was before Guard and Reserve slots were scarce; in fact, I was attracted by a story in my local newspaper that the Reserve unit was trying to expand and was actively recruiting new members. Turned out there were about 60 of us, and we all went through basic together at Polk---seven months later. I was a PFC when I went to basic. After that my service to my country consisted of AIT then one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer.

So, my question to you guys is, am I a veteran? I have a DD 214, but no veteran benefits. No question I’m not a veteran in the sense of JD and other of you guys who have seen the elephant. Every year at church they ask all veterans to stand. I stood a couple of times, but usually I keep my seat. I have two older friends at church----one was in the water at Omaha at 0630 on 6-6-44, the other was circling overhead in a B-24. At some point I told myself I would never stand as a veteran as long as these two guys were in attendance

All responses, no matter how direct, will be respected as I know of no other group of guys who are qualified to offer a valid opinion.
 
Jerry you need to stand up! You enlisted instead of going to Canada or burning your draft card. Be proud of your service. There are others out there that did not have the guts you did.

Leonard
 
How much active duty time? I had only 3 years and 2 months active USNR and 1 year 2 months reserve time. I think I am a veteran. Most of my time was recruiting, which I did not ask for and did not desire. But I did my time and I did my job. I did have rotation data card and orders to a tin can. This was cancelled by a Cdr. who decided I was of better service to Recruiting. I believe I am a veteran and did get educational benefits and went to school for electrician with General Motors. Dave
 
How much active duty time? I had only 3 years and 2 months active USNR and 1 year 2 months reserve time. I think I am a veteran. Most of my time was recruiting, which I did not ask for and did not desire. But I did my time and I did my job. I did have rotation data card and orders to a tin can. This was cancelled by a Cdr. who decided I was of better service to Recruiting. I believe I am a veteran and did get educational benefits and went to school for electrician with General Motors. Dave
 
Interesting- I am in the same situation. I enlisted in the National Guard in 1969, got out in '75 as a Sergeant E5. Never used to stand up, but the one and only time I was ever on unemployment (1995), they asked if I was a veteran- I said I didn't really think so, was just in the National Guard. They said not only was I a veteran, but a "Vietnam Era Veteran", which was good for a 10% job preference. So I stand when they ask. But still won't post on threads like JDSellers- My hat is off to the guys who did "the real thing", especially serving in Vietnam, and I don't want to minimize what they did. Thanks for your service, everybody.
 
I know where you are coming from. I have the same concerns. I enlisted in the Reserves also, at the same time. 1967 Then transferred to the National Guard. Spent 7 and a half years. Got called up for a Couple of riots. for a couple of weeks. Did the same as you at church. Vic
 
Jerry, you didn't head for Caneduh, didn't burn your draft card, and served in the same way many did. Just because your assignment didn't put you in the line of fire, it very easily could have. And you, like many of us never looked directly down a barrel. But we were all at risk, and most of us would have stood up to it. You're as much a vet as any of us.
 
definitely a veteran and proud of all of you!!!
I was unable to serve due to a lazy eye, but I thank God every day for the people I work for(I am a nurse in long term care) The stories these men and ladies tell go a long way in seeing the pride with which they served our country. again thank you!!!!!!
 
I am kind of in the same boat. I volunteered to join the USAF in 1977. Went through basic and tech school and on to my first post. Was not there 2 or 3 months when an old basketball injury from high school flared up. Went to all the doctors and threw the whole system till they finally gave me a medical discharge for pre- existing conditions. I was in 1 year and 10 months total but never really did a job for very long or contributed very much to the service.

While I am considered a veteran I do not see it that way because I never really earned any of the money the government paid me.
 
I also served in the Guard in the Seventies. I never did know what to consider myself.
Anyhow I did have the honor to be picked to serve in the Nuclear Artillery
Program, Section Chief, 155 MM towed Howitzer. The program has been scrapped from what I understand.

My FIL was 20 year Coast Guard last serving on the Mackinaw. We took him back to visit he Mac just before he died.
My BIL 24 years Navy W-4 Nuclear Reactors. Last sea duty was on the Sub. Henry Clay.

My father was in WW II. Battle of the Bulge. 30 cal. water cooled machine gun.

My future SIL in currently at MP school at Fort Leonard Wood, MO
 
I served 20 plus in USN. $00 plus missions over VN. The only time I worry about vet status is at Cabela's on 11 Nov. Big discount. Was tyhere in Mitchell a few hours ago. Anyone priced 454 Casull ammo lately?
Lighten up. No one really cares.
BTW I do think you could get some VA bebefits. They have become very "caring" due to the Lib attitudes.
 
Stand up and be proud of your service!
There are far too many people trying to take credit for service they didn't perform.
Making up stories about how they were a war hero and earned this or that medal.
I don't want to promote that kind of behavior, but by all means take the well
deserved credit for the service you honorably contributed!
 
Jerry, I know exactly where you are coming from. I hesitate to claim to be a Veteran along side of those who have "seen the elephant" We have a man in our church that served in France and Germany during WWII, then was sent to the Phillapines to train for the invasion of Japan. He finally came home, went to Med School and served as the only Family Practicioner in our small town for 50 years. I simply cannot stand beside him when they ask Vets to stand in church. I did serve 5 years in the Navy as a Torpedoman's Mate on old worn out diesel-electric submarines ("boats" to us) during a time when the Navy was spending all their money building nuclear boats. We often went to sea lacking parts and equipment that we simply could not get due to funding spent elsewhere. I may not have experienced bullets wizzing by my ears or depth charges thrown on my boat, but we did brave the dangers of the deep with faulty and missing equipment and long overdue yard periods . Still, I cannot stand next to the man I mentioned and claim equal status with him.
 
Glad you posted this Jerry. I joined the national guard in Co. in oct. 1963, served until 1969. never felt like I was a Veteran. Especially since my brother served two tours in Vietnam & my uncle spent 4 years in the air corp in north africa, italy and corsica. Ken
 
Jerry: Stand up and be proud. YOU ARE A VETERAN!!! You served, Period!!!

I did not ask for combat Veterans. All the men and women that have ever worn the uniform are Veterans as far as I am concerned.
 
(quoted from post at 19:36:50 11/11/12) Jerry: Stand up and be proud. YOU ARE A VETERAN!!! You served, Period!!!

I did not ask for combat Veterans. All the men and women that have ever worn the uniform are Veterans as far as I am concerned.
Click to expand...

I'm with JD on this one, I did my service active duty on tanks from 74-96 and you are a Veteran, don't matter, Active, Guard or Reserves. I have a son who wound up with 28 stress fractures in his foot while in basic. He was medically discharged, he's still a Vet too. If he had been kicked out in basic because of misconduct I would feel different. In my eyes he did his best and ranks right up there with his brother who did 4 1/2 years active in the Airforce, his sister who was in the Air Guard for 8 years and his youngest brother who did 4 years avtice in the Navy and is currently Army National Guard.

Rick
 
here's my take: it's not how you measure up to other folks, it's how you measured up to yourself. boot camp in the 60's was tough and designed for one thing, combat duty in viet nam. did you graduate? if so then you are a vet. was your life placed in a position where it was completely controlled by others? if so then you are a vet. did you give up a portion of your life to serve your country? if so then you are a vet. i consider myself a vet and i stand up whenever vets are ask to. glance around you the next time you are ask to stand and typically you will see just a very few standing. for myself i am proud to stand; however, that is a part of my past and content for it to remain there.
 
Honorable service, be proud not ashamed. Yes you weren't in the line of fire or Harm's Way but you did your time legally and didn't gripe or protest, more than a lot can say.
 
I went in in 1968. Retired in 1989. Did my time in nam. You made it through boot camp.Honorable Service Your a veteran to me.
 
I am definitely a veteran, having been on active duty in the Marine Corps for ten years and deployed to both the Middle East and Far East.

I've had an ongoing argument for years on another point. I was on active duty during the inclusive years of both the Korean War and Vietnam War, but was never actually "in country" in either war. (I recieved two medals from the Nationalist Chinese Government on Taiwan for partaking in a major confrontation between Nationalist China on Taiwan and Red China on the Mainland in 1958, but that's not part of this issue).

My question is, am I considered a Korean War Vet and a Vietnam War Vet, or not. A fairly high source in the Corps once stated I was, based on the fact that I was ready, willing, and able to go and it was not my fault the Corps chose not to send me. The flip side is I am not, because I was never "in country".

It's no big deal to me and I'm not losing any sleep over it. I made significant contributions both to the Corps and to our country in other ways, but it makes a good argument.

BTW, I refer to myself as a Korean War "Era" vet and a Vietnam War "Era" vet.
 
I figure anyone who has signed the "blank check" for the United States counts as a veteran, as we all had the potential to be put in harm"s way for the country. Also, the military gains power simply by having the available manpower and resources to keep threats from expanding even if it doesn"t come to the point of getting called up. That being said, as a former Army Reservist who was never called up, I do have a different level of respect for those who were in combat.
 
(quoted from post at 20:20:20 11/11/12) I am definitely a veteran, having been on active duty in the Marine Corps for ten years and deployed to both the Middle East and Far East.

I've had an ongoing argument for years on another point. I was on active duty during the inclusive years of both the Korean War and Vietnam War, but was never actually "in country" in either war. (I recieved two medals from the Nationalist Chinese Government on Taiwan for partaking in a major confrontation between Nationalist China on Taiwan and Red China on the Mainland in 1958, but that's not part of this issue).

My question is, am I considered a Korean War Vet and a Vietnam War Vet, or not. A fairly high source in the Corps once stated I was, based on the fact that I was ready, willing, and able to go and it was not my fault the Corps chose not to send me. The flip side is I am not, because I was never "in country".

It's no big deal to me and I'm not losing any sleep over it. I made significant contributions both to the Corps and to our country in other ways, but it makes a good argument.

BTW, I refer to myself as a Korean War "Era" vet and a Vietnam War "Era" vet.
Click to expand...

The thing of it is officially you are a Korean and Viet NAm ERA vet because you served during those wars. Just as I am a Viet Nam Era Vet because I served more than 6 months prior to 1 jan 76. I do not stand when someone ask Viet Nam Vet to stand because I feel that honor belongs to those who were there and not some guy who was in service but never there.

When I retired in 96 I had my 3rd award of the National Defence Service Ribbon which is only authorized for those who served during a conflict. My service covered the tail end of Viet Nam, Gernada (still not sure why they passed out the NDSR for that) and the 1st Gulf War.

Rick
 
(quoted from post at 22:33:33 11/11/12) I do have a different level of respect for those who were in combat.
Click to expand...

Well said. I am in a similar situation having been in the USNR for 14 years. I would wear my uniform to the local Memorial Day service but just didn't feel right when thinking about what the "real" vets that were sitting in the front row must have went through. I'm not a vet in the VA's eyes anyway. I think I may be able to have the bronze headstone if I pay for it. No hard feelings, that's just the way it is.
 
Your a vet STAND UP AND BE PROUD!!!
Va criteria differenciates between on the dirt combat Vietnam Vets by finiancial statements. I was on the dirt in Nam (combat vet)but made some money, thus my VA priority is less than a Vet who made nothing of himself in life, yet he get better priority.
Bottom line "Its not what you did 44 years ago, its what you do today) to help the vet programs.
Led
 
There are three kinds of Veterens
1. Just a plain Veterens with no war time.
2. Veterens of Foriegn War
3. Dissabled Veterens.
I was all three when I got out in 62 I was just a vet then about two years later they authorize the Expeditionary medal for my in the Laos action. Then later they authorized that for the VFW so I moved up one more notch. Then I was told I could get disability for my hearing loss filed an was awarded 40% disability
So now I'm at the top after 50 years as a VFW and dissabled Veteren. Funny how life works out.
Walt Davies
USNAVY MAchinery Repairman 2nd class Petty Officer.
 
You're a veteran, no question.

I'm retired from the Navy, 2/69 to 9/90. Like everybody else, I went were I was told to go, and did what I was told to do and did so honorably.

But, like you, I'm not comfortable about being praised or honored for it. I don't stand when vets are introduced nor attend the dinners nor march in parades.

In my mind it's claiming honors that belong to people that actually put their life on the line.

The Honor that belongs to them should not be diluted by rear echelon functionaries like me, and won't be in my case.

Just my opinion and my reaction. Anyone that put on the uniform and "signed the blank check" has an absolute right to respond to such situations in whatever way they're comfortable with.
 
You're a vet. If you would have been called to serve in a different manner, you would have gone. Same thing with me. I kept Oklahoma safe from the Red Scourge for 4 years. Never saw a shot fired in anger, but we all took the oath and would have done what was asked. Like you, I don't want anything special for that time. I do however, think the guys who DID see combat should be recognized at every opportunity.
 
Sure you are Jerry. By the time I graduated from Air Force pilot training, Vietnam war was over. I wanted to fly C-130s. Air Training Command decided I should defend northwestern Oklahoma and keep student pilots from splattering their guts on runway 17 center and right.
 
I feel the same way also. I put in seven years, made E-6 at 5 years, got out when my farming got too large to have the time for drills. There was no war going on during my service. I never stood in harms way, was never activated, but did my job, and did it well. All the veterans at my church say I am a veteran, but I still don't feel comfortable being called a vet.
 

Bet is John Kerry was triplets..ALL 3 would Stand up...after all, he was awarded 3 purple Hearts and never shed one drop of blood...

IF you answered the CALL..you ARE a Veteran..!!

Some of us just traded more Lead with the enemy than others..

Having been in the "Slicks" 1/10th Air-Cav, we inserted and extracted Hot LZ's on a regular basis ..
I have yet to find ONE that admits to having his arse saved by a Helicopter, during a fire-fight...
Oh well..some of us survived and we appreciate every day we have lived, since then..!

Ron..
 
I did 4 years in during VN was a Captian in the USArmy Infantry. Just like me and many others you are indeede a Vet. You where there if needed that is what counts in my book. Have to say though interesting how many goverment, post office, bank etc. etc. employees are enjoying our holiday off today while most of us are putting in a hard days work with very little thanks.
 
Not long it only took me 40 years to find out that I could get payed for the loss. I was doing watches in the Generator room while on the ship they didn't have any idea about hearing protection back then. I told the VA about this they said no problem we know all about this problem.
Walt
 
I am in the same boot, served with National Guard from 1965 to 1971, never considered myself as a vet. I think that must of my relatives or In-laws don't even know that I wore the Uniform.
 
I just read your post.
Have not read any responses, yet.
So, my opinion before reading repllies,
Hell yeah yer a Veteran.
We were covered up a few times,
and gettin spread thinner,
they called up the reserves to help out.

Were you called? Don't matter.
You laid yer butt there to get called.

Not many can do that.
Thank you for your service.
And NO, I do not take advantage of Veteran's Day perks, etc.
Before my injuries caught up with me never had the day off anyways.
Now can't barely do squat.
Feel like I'm stealin taxpayer money.
Some days, feel like endin that situation.
Keep strivin, we all get affected, but all Veterans.
Peace.
Danny
 
By The Way--my only wish is that I could have done more.
Sounds like we're in the same boat, more or less.
100% disabled, don't get on much here anymore,
but at least proud of how I got this way.
Think of the mental anguish you went thru, etc.
Only a Vet endures that.
Most can't hack it anymore.
Peace, my fellow brother in arms.
Danny

On Edit:
I don't stand cause it hurts too much, lol.
D*mn sure take my hat off.
Anybody that's bothered by doin so,
Needs to do so.
Stand tall and be proud.
I'll shut up now, I'm nobody.
Hidin at the farmstead,
Danny
 
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