A veteran is defined by federal law, moral code and military service as
"Any, Any, Any"... A military veteran is Any person who served for Any
length of time in Any military service branch. [See #1 and #2, below]

What is a War Veteran?
A war veteran is any GI (Government Issue) ordered to foreign soil or
waters to participate in direct or support activity against an enemy. The
operant condition: Any GI sent in harm's way.

What is a Combat Veteran?
A combat veteran is any GI who experiences any level of hostility resulting
from offensive, defensive or friendly fire military action involving a real
or perceived enemy in any active war or pre- or post-designated theater of
combat (war) operations. [See #3, below]

What is a Soldier? A soldier is any person who has successfully completed
Basic Training in the Army.

What is an Airman? An airman is any person who has successfully completed
Basic Training in the Air Force.

What is a Marine? A Marine is any person who has successfully completed
Basic Training in the Marine Corps.

What is a sailor? A sailor is any person who has successfully completed
Basic Training in the US. Navy.

What are the Service Branches? The four service branches are Army, Air
Force, Navy and Marine Corps. (The USMC is a department of the Navy). The
Coast Guard (Dept of Transportation) becomes a military branch during time
of declared war.

Is the Merchant Marines a military service branch? Never. The MM is a
civilian agency that serves under the protection of the Naval (and Naval
Armed Guard). Although MM's received civilian pay (much higher than Navy
pay) and other civilian privileges, former members of this civilian agency
has successfully petitioned congress in recent years to be considered
"military veterans" and in some cases receive the VA benefits similar to
the men and women who served in the military. Other civilian agency
personnel who served under the same hazardous risks as the MM have to date
been unsuccessful in obtaining military veteran status. These agencies
include the Red Cross and United Service Organization (USO).

NOTE:
1. Veteran's benefits are based on Congressional regulations determined by
Honorable Discharge or Under Honorable Conditions status.

2. Retirees (either 20+ years service or medical discharge status) are also
Veterans. Retirees are usually eligible for supplementary federal benefits,
privileges and access on military installations, but not necessarily VA
services, as regulated by Congress.

3. Wartime medals define various levels of individual combat involvement,
sacrifice and/or valor. References: http://www.amervets.com/replacement/isr.htm


Contact Person for this posting: Roger Simpson,
Public Information Office: 13105320634.com (http://www. 13105320634.com)
The American War Library: amervets.com (http://www.amervets.com)
16907 Brighton Avenue
Gardena CA 90247-5420
1-310-532-0634