Definition of a Veteran | Cohasset, MA (2024)

FAQs

What qualifies a person as a veteran? ›

§ 101(2) provides: The term "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. (E) authorized travel to or from such duty or service. 38 U.S.C.

“Veteran” is an all-encompassing word that lumps every former servicemember into a group of special individuals. Every person has their reason for serving and every person has their reason for getting out. Regardless, they are still a Veteran and are entitled to the benefits and respect that come with the title.

Period of Active Duty Service

To be eligible for most veterans benefits, a minimum period of active duty of 24 continuous months or the full period for which a person is called or ordered to active duty must be completed.

The short answer is that under federal law, a veteran is any person who served honorably on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States. It doesn't matter if you served during wartime or not. It doesn't matter if you saw combat or not.

A former Reservist is not a veteran unless called to active duty. The Reserves can be called to active duty by the President or the Secretary of Defense. Approximately, 65,000 reserve troops are on active duty at any given moment, supporting military operations around the world.

A veteran (from Latin vetus 'old') is a person who has significant experience (and is usually adept and esteemed) and expertise in an occupation or field.

A Department of Defense (DoD) Identification Card is used to show your military status and to get access to services at military bases. You may also use this card to get discounts offered to Veterans at many stores, businesses, and restaurants.

One of the most accurate ways to verify military service records is through a FOIA request letter. Public military service records are readily available to citizens just like other pieces of government information. Most public record request don't require personal information or explanation from your part.

Basic training does not count as active duty service for members of the U.S. National Guard or Reserves. To be considered a veteran for dependency status purposes, the discharge status must also be other than dishonorable, but the actual service must include being called up to active duty service.

The form no one tells you about is, in many cases, more important than the one everyone thinks they know (DD214). The DD 256 and 257 are issued when the person has not met the active duty requirements to be considered a veteran by the DoD. But having a DD214 form doesn't automatically mean you are a veteran!

What is an eligible veteran? ›

(4) The term “eligible veteran” means a person who— (A) served on active duty for a period of more than 180 days and was discharged or released therefrom with other than a dishonorable discharge; (B) was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability; (C) as a member of a reserve ...

Basic training (boot camp) counts as active duty service for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and for those who attended a U.S. military academy or military academy preparatory school, as long as the condition of discharge is characterized as anything other than “dishonorable.” There is no minimum amount of time the ...

Minimum Duty Requirements

Most Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty to be eligible.