The term veteran is defined as a person who served in the active military, air, naval, or space service and was released or discharged from duty under conditions other than dishonorable. The term active service has multiple forms. But it mainly includes full-time duty in the armed forces and related institutions. This article quickly discusses a few things you should know about military veterans in our country, such as their qualifications, types, and unique benefits.

What factors determine if a person is a veteran?
A specific process is followed to determine whether a person can be called a veteran. The Veterans Affairs (VA) examines the individual’s service record to evaluate their status. Some factors considered are the duration of active service, the period when that service took place, the type or character of service, and the circumstances and kind of discharge from duty.

It is to be noted that a person must have active military, air, or naval service to be considered a veteran of most government services.

What are the types of veterans?
In our country, veterans can be classified into any one of the following three types:

War veterans
These are persons who have served on foreign soil, in a particular area where combat is ongoing, in support of the combat troops. This may include doctors, nurses, mechanics, and administrative or clerical staff.

Peacetime veterans
These are those who have not been sent to the combat area or have served during peacetime. It includes periods between two wars.

Combat veterans
These are those who have experienced hostility resulting from defensive, offensive, or friendly military action. It could be a perceived or real enemy in the pre or post-designated theater of combat operations. The operation could have been for any length of time.

When and why is Veterans Day celebrated?
Our country celebrates this occasion on November 11 every year to pay tribute to all the veterans, living or dead. This day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, which is reserved to honor those who lost their lives in combat. Originally, Veterans Day was known as Armistice Day. In 1954, the then president officially renamed it to what it is popularly known as today. Several other countries also have a day to honor their armed forces and celebrate in their own ways.

What benefits are veterans entitled to?
Veterans, and sometimes even their families, are eligible for certain benefits offered by the federal government. A few examples of these advantages in different sectors are as follows:

Education
Veterans may avail of education benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This bill provides up to 36 months of concessions, including lower tuition rates at state-run schools. However, assistance is offered to only those with active service after September 10, 2001.

Health
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers comprehensive healthcare services for eligible individuals, such as disease control and prevention, health control, mental health services, primary care, etc. Military members are also eligible for discounts on hospital bills. It is available at all VA centers.

Loans
Many loan provisions and programs are available for veterans that allow them to buy a house or borrow cash for daily expenses. Housing help is also offered. Further, many banks provide easy financing to help eligible individuals with their bills.

Compensation
Compensation is available for disabilities that were the result of service. For example, if a person gets injured while serving in the military, they are eligible for disability compensation. As a part of this program, the VA provides a monthly tax-free payment to cover the expenses of the qualified disabled officer.

Crisis hotline
If you know or are concerned about any veteran in crisis, you can connect with them with the crisis hotline. Through this service, veterans can communicate and connect with qualified responders. These are usually veterans themselves and would, therefore, better understand the situation.

Jobs and training
Various government programs help military members seek and apply for civilian jobs. These programs may also help them explore careers and find training to enhance their skills. Some government websites allow them to find federal jobs.

As of 2019, there were around 12,987 living veterans in our country who served and worked through World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War. In 2017, there were around 1.9 million female veterans. The above information can be helpful, considering there are many veterans in the country. If you or someone you know is a veteran, get in touch with the VA to learn more about the benefits and schemes you could benefit from.