[MikefromOhio]

I am pretty sure a veteran is any person who served within the military.

Generally though, the ones that saw combat don't really boast about it, but I will ping Darks just incase I am off my rocker :)

[TADSLOS]

A military veteran is anyone who has served in one of the armed services, regardless of time or conditions served.

A combat veteran is the distinctive phrase you're referring to.

[Americanwolf]

I never saw actually combat experience but served under operation southern watch in the Gulf... the department of Veterans affairs considers anyone that has served in the arm service whether in peace or war as a veteran.

Dictionary.com

vet·er·an Audio pronunciation of "Veteran" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (vtr-n, vtrn)
n.

1. A person who is long experienced or practiced in an activity or capacity: a veteran of political campaigns.
2. A person who has served in the armed forces: “Privilege, a token income... were allowed for veterans of both world wars” (Mavis Gallant).
3. An old soldier who has seen long service.


adj.

1. Having had long experience or practice: a veteran actor.
2. Of or relating to former members of the armed forces: veteran benefits.

[ConorMacNessa]

When you sign up, you don't know whether you're going into combat or not. If you have an Honorable Discharge, you're a veteran.

[Mike Bates]

The definition of "veteran" is in Title 38, USC, 101. It says, in part:
The term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

Later, it mentions the term “active duty” means— (A) full-time duty in the Armed Forces, other than active duty for training; (B) full-time duty (other than for training purposes) as a commissioned officer of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service (i) on or after July 29, 1945, or (ii) before that date under circumstances affording entitlement to “full military benefits” or (iii) at any time, for the purposes of chapter 13 of this title; (C) full-time duty as a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its predecessor organization the Coast and Geodetic Survey (i) on or after July 29, 1945, or (ii) before that date (I) while on transfer to one of the Armed Forces, or (II) while, in time of war or national emergency declared by the President, assigned to duty on a project for one of the Armed Forces in an area determined by the Secretary of Defense to be of immediate military hazard, or (III) in the Philippine Islands on December 7, 1941, and continuously in such islands thereafter, or (iii) at any time, for the purposes of chapter 13 of this title; (D) service as a cadet at the United States Military, Air Force, or Coast Guard Academy, or as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy; and (E) authorized travel to or from such duty or service.

Oh, read it yourself:
TITLE 38 > PART I > CHAPTER 1 > § 101
Good luck.

[dakine]

A player at the end of his career, usually prefaced by:
Crusty Ol'

[va4me]

While my understanding is that anyone who served in the military can call themselves a veteran, I feel funny calling myself one. I served 9 years in the army, almost all of it in inactive reserves. Still, it qualified me for membership in the American Legion.

[kerryusama04]

I recall that you had to serve more than 18 months to be considered a veteran. If you went to war, you would be called a "combat" veteran.