In 2 very different conversations today, this question came up.
One of the residents (she’s affiliated with the El Paso VA) I work with was commenting to me on the difference between “real” veterans (those who served in actual wars)and “pseudo” veterans (did a 2 or 4-year stint in the service & got out, but never saw any action).
Then I overheard some people commenting on the fact the Darva who-didn’t-want-to-marry-a-millionaire at some point had described herself as a Gulf War vet. Her service records show that she was on active duty in the AF during the Gulf War, but was stationed At Scott AFB in Illinois at that time. Apparently, there’s a news story out asserting that her calling herself a Gulf War vet is a lie. I can tell you that she almost certainly would have one or more awards stemming from her service during the Gulf War. (Scott AFB is a major hub in the AF’s system for moving patients between military hospitals, and her unit would have been very busy during the Gulf War & likely to have been awarded a superior or meritorious unit commendation.)
I’m interested in hearing opinions from both current/ex-service members & those who have never been in.
Do you consider anyone who served at anytime a veteran?
Do you consider anyone who served anywhere during the Gulf War a Gulf War veteran? (same logic applies to WW II, Korea, Vietnam).
Should Cold War veterans (anyone on active duty from 1946-1989) be awarded a ribbon for their contributions to winning the Cold War? Congress has approved such an award, but DoD so far has not authorized anyone to receive this award.
I’m sure some posters will bring up “official” definitions of veterans, but am really interested in hearing man-on-the-street concepts, too.
Sue from El Paso
Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.