A veteran of the military is a person who has served in the active military, naval, or air service of the United States and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. This includes members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
Veterans have made significant contributions to the United States and the world. They have fought in wars and conflicts to defend our freedom and protect our interests. They have also helped to build and maintain our infrastructure, respond to natural disasters, and provide humanitarian assistance.
Here are some of the benefits that veterans are eligible for:
- Healthcare through the Veterans Health Administration
- Education benefits through the GI Bill
- Home loan benefits through the VA Home Loan Program
- Employment assistance through the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service
- Financial assistance through the VA's Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program
- Burial benefits for veterans and their families
Qualifications
To qualify as a veteran in the United States, you must have:
- Served in the active military, naval, or air service of the United States
- Been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable
- The minimum service requirement for most veterans benefits is 24 months of active duty.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as if you were discharged for a disability that was caused or aggravated by your military service.
You can also qualify as a veteran if you served in the National Guard or Reserve and were called to active duty by the President of the United States and served the appropriate length of time to receive an award for a benefit or honorably completed the length of obligation for which you were called.
Here are some additional details about the minimum service requirements for veterans benefits:
- If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, you must have served at least 24 continuous months of active duty, unless any of the following exceptions apply:
- You were discharged for a disability that was caused or aggravated by your military service.
- You were discharged for a hardship or "early out."
- You served prior to September 7, 1980.
- If you served in the National Guard or Reserve, you must have served at least six years of creditable service and been discharged honorably or placed on the retired list.
- If you were a commissioned officer of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service or a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its predecessor organization, the Coast and Geodetic Survey, you must have served on full-time duty for at least one day.