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Who Is A Veteran
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR MA STATE BENEFITS
According to M.G.L. ch.4 s.7, clause 43 a "veteran" is defined to have either:
- 180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions
- 90 days of active duty service, one day of which is during "wartime" per the chart which follows, and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions, except for Vietnam I which requires 180 days of active duty service (see chart that follows).
GUARD MEMBERS
For Guard Members to qualify they must have either:
- 180 days and have been activated under Title 10 of the U.S. Code and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions
- Members who were activated under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 33, sections 38,40, and 41 must have 90 days, at least one of which was during wartime, per the chart which follows. The members' last discharge or release must be under honorable conditions.
For VA purposes a “Veteran” is a person who:
- Served in the active military, naval or air service, and
- Was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable
Even though this is the definition of a Veteran per the VA, the eligibility criteria varies from benefit to benefit. Please contact us for specific information regarding the benefits you may be interested in.
Chart of Definitions for Veteran Status - Per MGL Ch. 4
WW1 | 6-Apr-1917
11-Nov-1918 |
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |
PEACETIME | 12-Nov-1918
15-Sep-1940 |
180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |
WWII
(Merchant Marine: 7-Dec-1941 through 31-Dec-1946) |
26-Jul-1947
24-Jun-1950 |
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |
PEACETIME | 26-Jul-1947
24-Jun-1950 |
180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions.
|
KOREA | 25-Jun-1950
31-Jan-1955 |
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |
Korean Defense Service Medal | 28-Jul-1954
(to be determined later) |
90 days of active duty service, last discharge under honorable conditions and the Korean Defense Service Medal |
VIETNAM I | 1-Feb-1955
4-Aug-1964 |
180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |
VIETNAM II | 5-Aug-1964
7-May-1975 |
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |
PEACETIME | 8-May-1975
1-Aug-1990 |
180 days of regular active duty service and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |
Lebanon Campaign* | 25-Aug-1982
(to be determined later) |
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |
Grenada Campaign* | 25-Oct-1983
15-Dec-1983 |
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |
Panama Campaign* | 20-Dec-1989
31-Jan-1990 |
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |
PERSIAN GULF | 2-Aug-1990
(to be determined later) |
90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during “wartime” and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. |