Short answer: I can’t determine your personal veteran status without your service details, but I can explain how veteran status is typically defined and how to verify it for benefits or records. What “veteran” usually means

• In U.S. terms, a veteran generally means someone who served in active military, naval, air, or space service and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. This definition is used for benefits, education, and many official programs, though exact criteria can vary by agency or program.

• Active duty versus veteran: active-duty status means currently serving on active duty or in a period of active duty for purposes other than training. A veteran may be someone who has completed active-duty service and received an honorable or general discharge (not dishonorable).

Common subtopics you might encounter

• Reserve/National Guard status: Reserve components are often considered veterans if they were called to federal active duty for purposes other than training and received a discharge other than dishonorable. Some programs also count certain periods of training as qualifying if disability occurred in line of duty, but rules vary.

• ROTC, service academies, or cadet status: Members who were cadets or midshipmen at service academies are often not veterans unless they completed active-duty service with an appropriate discharge.

• Documentation and proofs: Veteran status is typically documented via discharge papers (DD-214), service records, or VA enrollment/benefits processes. Different agencies may require different forms of proof, depending on purpose (education, healthcare, housing, etc.).

How you can determine your status

• If you have served on active duty and were discharged under honorable conditions, you are generally considered a veteran for most federal purposes. If you’re unsure about the exact discharge characterization or eligibility for a particular program, check the program’s definitions and your official service records (DD-214 or equivalent).

• If you are currently serving, you are not yet a veteran, but you may become one upon discharge under qualifying conditions. Some programs allow you to mark veteran status if you expect to qualify by a future date.

If you want, tell me:

• Are you currently serving on active duty, or have you completed active-duty service with an honorable or general discharge?
• Do you need this definition for a specific program (education, healthcare, benefits, housing), so I can tailor the criteria to that program?

I can then provide the exact steps and documentation typically required for that context.