Understanding the Difference: Combat Veteran vs. Veteran

The terms “combat veteran” and “veteran” are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct experiences within military service. While both titles denote service to the nation, the specific nature of that service differs considerably. Understanding this distinction is crucial for honoring the unique sacrifices and challenges faced by each group. A veteran is anyone who has served in the armed forces, regardless of whether they engaged in combat. A combat veteran, on the other hand, has not only served but has also been directly involved in hostile engagements during their service. In essence, all combat veterans are veterans, but not all veterans are combat veterans. This fundamental difference significantly impacts their experiences, recognition, and often, the benefits they are entitled to.

Defining a Veteran

A veteran, in its broadest sense, is any individual who has served in the Armed Forces of the United States. This includes those who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Federal law defines a veteran as any person who served honorably on active duty. Crucially, it doesn’t matter if the service was during peacetime or wartime, or whether the individual ever saw combat. The simple act of serving, meeting the minimum service requirements, qualifies someone as a veteran. Even a service member who has a dishonorable discharge is still legally considered a veteran, although the discharge affects the benefits to which they are entitled.

Active Duty Requirements

Generally, enlisted personnel who entered after September 8, 1980, are required to serve a minimum of 24 months of active duty to be considered a veteran. However, if a service member became disabled because of their time in service, this minimum service length does not apply. Additionally, those with 20 years of service, even if they were not on federal active duty for more than 180 days outside of training, are now considered veterans. This change in law acknowledges the significant commitment of those in reserve components who serve long-term.

National Guard and Reserve Status

It’s important to note that not all service in the National Guard automatically qualifies someone as a veteran. A National Guard member needs to have been called up for active duty, either under Title 10 (by the president) or under Title 32 (by the state governor) of the U.S. Code, and have served for a certain length of time in order to be considered a veteran. Those who serve purely under state orders are generally not considered veterans.

Defining a Combat Veteran

A combat veteran is a subset of veterans who have experienced direct exposure to hostile action. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, a combat veteran is a service member who has received hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay at any time during their service. Other qualifiers include earning a combat service medal or having military service documentation that confirms they were deployed in a combat theater.

Qualifying Factors

Here’s a breakdown of factors that may qualify someone as a combat veteran:

• Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay: This type of pay is given to service members in areas where they are in direct danger from enemy activity.
• Combat Service Medals: These include awards such as the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, and Southwest Asia Campaign Medal, among others authorized by the Department of Defense.
• Combat Action Ribbon: Awarded to Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard members who have actively participated in ground or surface combat.
• Military Service Documentation: Official records that verify the service member was present in a designated combat theater.

The Impact of Combat

The experience of a combat veteran can differ vastly from that of a veteran who never engaged in direct combat. Combat often exposes individuals to intense and traumatic situations that can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, substance use disorders, and other mental health challenges. These unique experiences have led to specific programs and benefits designed to support the distinct needs of combat veterans.

The DD-214 and Combat Status

The DD-214, or Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, is a crucial document for veterans. It lists essential details about their service, including medals, awards, and ribbons. However, a DD-214 will not automatically indicate whether a veteran is a combat veteran. Box 13 of modern DD-214s includes medals and ribbons, which can be a starting point for determining if they qualify as a combat veteran, as some medals are direct indicators of combat service. However, ultimately, the presence of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is often the most significant factor for qualification.

Why Understanding the Difference Matters

The distinction between a veteran and a combat veteran is not merely semantic. It carries significant weight regarding recognition, benefits, and healthcare services. Many VA benefits are specifically tailored for combat veterans, including cost-free care for conditions potentially related to combat, higher priority group enrollment, and combat-related special compensation. Furthermore, the specific experiences of combat veterans call for unique understanding and support, particularly for mental health conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about veterans and combat veterans:

1. Can you be a veteran without being in combat? Yes! Anyone who served honorably on active duty in the Armed Forces is considered a veteran, regardless of combat experience.
2. Does every combat veteran have PTSD? No, not every combat veteran develops PTSD. However, combat veterans are more likely to experience PTSD than the general population, with approximately 7% of veterans experiencing it at some point in their lives, compared to 6% of the general population.
3. Is a combat veteran a protected veteran? Yes, a protected veteran is someone who has received a medal because of a campaign that required combat with hostile forces.
4. How long do you have to serve to be considered a veteran? Enlisted members entering after September 8, 1980, generally need to serve 24 months of active duty, but a disability due to service can waive this requirement. There are different requirements for other service types like national guard and reservists.
5. Does a medical discharge make you a veteran? Often, an entry-level separation for medical reasons within the first 180 days of service will not qualify someone as a veteran. However, it varies depending on circumstance. A medical discharge that occurs beyond this initial period would more likely qualify you as a veteran.
6. Does an honorable discharge make you a veteran? Yes. The type of discharge only reflects the character of service, not the veteran status. A less-than-honorable discharge may impact access to benefits but does not negate someone’s veteran status.
7. Does 6 years in the National Guard make you a veteran? Yes, if at least 180 days of that 6 years were spent deployed on federal active duty orders.
8. What medals qualify you as a combat veteran? The Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, and Southwest Asia Campaign Medal are among the medals that can qualify someone as a combat veteran.
9. What is Combat Veteran Pay? Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) provides tax-free monthly payments to eligible retired veterans with combat-related injuries.
10. Does DD214 show combat veteran status? Your DD-214 is a great place to start but will not automatically state that you are a combat veteran. It will list medals and ribbons, and the presence of certain combat-related awards can suggest eligibility.
11. What are the 5 types of veterans? Based on common criteria they are, veterans by military branches, combat or war veterans, disabled veterans, and veterans of services other than the armed forces.
12. What are common mental disorders for combat veterans? Common mental health disorders for combat veterans include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, suicide ideation, and substance use disorders.
13. Does every veteran get VA benefits? While all veterans are eligible for some form of VA benefits, those who are combat veterans usually have access to a broader range of services, including healthcare. Eligibility also depends on the length of service and character of service.
14. What countries can get a combat patch? Combat veterans are authorized to permanently wear the patch on their uniforms for serving in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Djibouti, and Somalia, where they receive combat zone tax exclusion and imminent danger pay.
15. What is the average life expectancy of a combat veteran? The average life expectancy of a veteran can vary but is often lower than that of the general population. Veterans average age at death is 67 while the national average is 76.4. This can be attributed to the unique stresses and exposures of military service, and access to quality healthcare.

Understanding the nuances between veterans and combat veterans is essential for offering appropriate recognition and support to those who have served. While all veterans deserve our gratitude, combat veterans have faced unique challenges that require additional understanding and care.