I did 21 years in the Army Guard, and never went anywhere except ADT. Frankly I have resisted the efforts of others to even join the Legion. I just can't bring myself to pretend to sit as an equal at the same table as those who fought WW2, Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East.
I reach age 60 in 6 years and then qualify for the pension. Under today's economic realities I am seriously considering not applying for the money. Just walk away and let it go.
Just might be the only opportunity I'll ever have to truly serve my country.
B S
I didn't know that this was common.
Frankly I think if you've put in your time you deserve to be called a 'veteran'. I knew guys in the Reserves whose only 'active duty' time was sitting in a windowless office, in civilian clothes and translating tapes. Why should they be considered more of a veteran than you?