Although many people believe they know what a veteran is, whether by its literal definition or their own assumptions, the reality is that there is often confusion around the term. Misconceptions about what qualifies someone as a veteran are common, and many speak on the topic without fully understanding the meaning or the experiences of those who have served.
The word ‘veteran’ can carry several meanings, but without question, its most recognised association is with military and armed forces service. In this blog, we explore exactly what is meant by a veteran, why the term matters, and share some valuable insights into the lives and contributions of those who have served.
Veteran Definition
Technically speaking, a veteran is someone with long-standing experience in a specific field. However, in common usage, particularly in the UK, the term refers specifically to someone who has previously served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces. This includes those who have been discharged or retired. However, it does not usually refer to active service members.
The term often conjures an image of an older, dignified individual – wise, proud, and honourable. While this image may apply to some, the reality is that veterans come in all shapes and sizes. They can be pretty much any age, any gender, and from any background. Many veterans are much younger than people assume, and their experiences vary widely.
What Qualifies As Being A Veteran?
There’s a common stereotype that only long-serving military personnel are considered veterans. However, in the UK, you are recognised as a veteran if you have served even a single day in the Armed Forces.
Veterans can include both regular and reserve personnel, and may also include individuals such as Merchant Mariners who served in legally defined military operations. The criteria are broader than many expect, which is why clarity on the term is so important. So, the next time you are speaking to someone who has served in His Majesty’s Service, just know they are a veteran, no matter how long they have served.
Other Terms for Veterans
While “veteran” is the most widely used term, several formal and informal alternatives are commonly heard:
Formal terms
- Ex-military personnel
- Armed forces veterans
- Service leavers
- Ex-servicemen / Ex-servicewomen
- Former soldiers, sailors and airmen
- Former service member
- Combat veterans
Colloquial Terms
- Old-timers
- Old hands
- Stagers
- Masters
- Vets
- Squaddie
- Tommy (WWII Vet)
What The Term Veteran Means To Us
At Veterans For Veterans, the word veteran means everything: it defines who we are and who we serve.
To us, being a veteran is a badge of honour, one that all ex-military personnel should wear with pride. Yet we believe the term often lacks the respect and recognition it truly deserves. While the UK celebrates its veterans through public ceremonies and national moments of remembrance, there are still critical areas – such as mental health and post-service support – that remain under-addressed.
Too many veterans suffer in silence, especially when it comes to the mental health challenges that can follow service. We believe the least we can do as a society is to ensure these individuals have the safety net they need and deserve.
We also recognise the gaps in the military claims process. That’s why our team, comprising entirely of ex-military personnel, was formed. We understand the system from the inside out and work to help veterans secure the compensation and support they are entitled to. If you or someone you know needs help with a military claim, get in touch with us today.
Why Veterans Are So Important
Veterans are vital to society. Not only is their experience in the armed forces extremely important to the modern liberties we enjoy in the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but they are also integral parts of modern society.
They bring with them an element of courage, commitment, and willingness to sacrifice to benefit others, all of which are extremely important, especially in today’s society. They also have a plethora of unique skills and knowledge, like incredible organisational and interpersonal skills, which are great not just for potential employers but also for other individuals.
What Is A Veteran with Full Entitlement?
While a veteran with full entitlement is not technically a defined term, it is most likely referring to a veteran who is entitled to the full range of support, benefits, and recognition from the UK government.
Some of the services and benefits could include NHS priority treatment for service-related conditions, Armed Forces Covenant Support, the Veteran Railcard, various pension schemes, and recognition under schemes like the Veterans Badge.
Veteran Jargon
Being part of the veteran community naturally leads to the use of various jargon and slang. While there are many unique and different veteran-related slang terms, some of the most popular include:
Pop smoke – meaning to leave abruptly or withdraw from contact:, originating from the use of smoke grenades, which were deployed to create a smokescreen for troops to conceal their movement or break contact with an enemy.
Daysack – simply a small backpack.
Bang Stick – standard issue assault rifle (SLR/SA80)
CROW – a recruit or an inexperienced Parachute Regiment Soldier.
Jack Jones – meaning to be stranded or on your own.
Penny dropped – the ‘penny dropping’ means that someone suddenly understands or realises something.
Horror bag – despite its potentially scary name, a horror bag is actually the pack lunches that are issued to soldiers.
D-shapes – D-shapes can sometimes be found in a ‘horror bag.’ They are frozen half-pasties.
Need Help With A Military Claim?
If you are a veteran or you know someone who is a veteran and needs help, why not contact us today? Veterans mean the world to us, and we do everything we can to help make any veteran’s life easier.
At VFV, we help with military claims, and we specialise in non-freezing cold injury and military hearing loss claims. So, if you or someone you know left military service after May 1987, then contact us today; we are here to help.