I don’t understand.
I served with men who where in the military during the late 70s and 80s. Many served honorably but chose not to reenlist or keep their commissions.
All of them got a honorable discharge and served whatever selective ready reserve commitments they had.
As far as I know, each one is a veteran. This status did not require a presidential executive order, either.
In other words, veterans are... veterans.
I like you, am retired, and we both get to keep our rank. We are also veterans, no?
...on active duty in a theater of combat operations...
So they are combat veterans and not just peacetime veterans. Got it.