Generally, a veteran has a long experience or expertise in a particular activity. However, in the context of this article, the definition of “veteran,” under Title 38 of the United States Code, refers to individuals who served within the naval, air service, or military person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was released or discharged according to certain conditions. In simple terms, a veteran is a person who has served their country during times of war.

Factors Used in Determining Whether a Person is a Vet

There are, however, factors to consider when identifying a person as a veteran. They are listed below:

Length of active service

To be considered a veteran, you do not have to have served for a specific time. There is no minimum length of service required for a service member to qualify as a veteran if they become disabled due to their service. There is, however, a requirement for minimum service. A service member must have completed at least 24 months of active duty to be considered a veteran. They are also eligible for veteran’s benefits due to their actions. A person injured during training but did not serve on active duty may still be considered a Veteran.

The Circumstances and the Type of Discharge

Before a person can be considered a veteran, discharge mode must be scrutinized. If the discharge is “under conditions other than dishonorable,” that is, bad conduct discharge, it will often be considered a disqualification for veteran status. Certain circumstances that result in a shot under less than honorable conditions are prohibited from receiving benefits. Violations of security systems, the intentional use of force against another person with the intent of causing serious harm, or serious misconduct that puts the lives of other military personnel in danger are all examples of situations that could result in an “other than honorable” discharge.

Orders by State

There are times when the state issues orders signed by the Governor with the approval of the President or Secretary of Defense. These orders include active duty for training and inactive duty for training, used when someone is injured or killed while performing their duties. These criteria determine whether or not a person qualifies as a veteran. Some medical conditions must develop or worsen to be eligible for inactive duty for training, for example, Cardiac arrest.

The Character or Type of Service

Depending on the type of military service a person has, the meaning of veteran may change. There are different military services. They include:

Full-time: Active-duty service entails a full-time commitment. Except for leave or pass, active-duty members are available for duty 24 hours, seven days a week.

Reserves: When active-duty forces are called upon, the Reserves’ mission is to provide supplemental support. And due to the kind of support they render, they qualify as veterans.

National guards: National guards are those appointed by the state government. If a member of the National Guard were activated for training but not called to Federal active duty, they would not be eligible unless they were disabled as a result of a disease or injury sustained or aggravated while on duty.

As stated above, it’s very important to consider different factors before referring to someone as a veteran.