CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – There are many definitions of what it means to hold veteran status. There is the Department of Defense, the VA, various organizations and the self-imposed definitions of what qualifies one to be a veteran.
Title 38 of Federal Regulations defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. The Department of Veterans Affairs definition is anyone who served on active duty over 90 days.
Generally, all National Guard and Reserve members discharged or released under conditions that are not dishonorable are eligible for some VA benefits. The length of your service, service commitment and/or your duty status may determine your eligibility for specific benefits.
• Active Service. Eligibility requirements for several VA benefits include a certain length of active service.
• Active service in the National Guard or Reserve includes: Active duty (Title 10) – full-time duty in the Armed Forces, such as unit deployment during war, including travel to and from such duty, except active duty for training,
• Or Full-time National Guard duty (Title 32) – duty performed for which you are entitled to receive pay from the Federal government, such as responding to a national emergency or performing duties as an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) member.
• National Guard or Reserves need to have served in active duty and that they have a DD-214, not the NGB.
There are many misconceptions about veteran status , such as:
• You are not a veteran if you did not retire out of the military
o Refer to definition above
• You are not a veteran if you did not serve in hazardous combat zone
o You are a veteran, just not a combat veteran
• You served but, got out and became a dependent/spouse
o You are a veteran and a dependent/spouse
If you have any questions about your veteran status or, want to find out about possible benefits. Please call the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization at (931) 553-5173.