What are the requirements to considered a US military veteran? Does any service make a person a veteran? Do you have to serve a certain amount of time? See action?
Maybe a document called a Form DD-214 that shows service and subsequent discharge (like retirement or honorable).
I don’t know the present rules, but I did have a friend who was discharged before finishing Basic who had VA benefits.
This applied just after WWII: An uncle was borderline too skinny. After a couple weeks in basic he lost weight and got quickly hustled out. In those days (if not now) being in the Army for 30 qualified you for future veterans benefits.
Serving overseas has nothing to do with being a veteran. Not even for the VFW.
Here is the definition of “veteran” for both the Department of Veteran Affairs and Department of Education.