ARLINGTON, Va. – A recently signed law gives official veteran status to National Guard members who served 20 years or more. Previously, Guard members were considered veterans only if they served 180 days or more in a federal status outside of training.
"As long as you were deployed on active duty for at least 180 days and you didn't get a dishonorable discharge or a bad conduct discharge coming off those orders, then you could be considered a veteran," said Army Sgt. Maj. Matthew Krenz, a legislative liaison at the National Guard Bureau who provided background information to Congressional members working on the bill.
Prior to the new law's passage, even if Guard members served for 20 years or longer they were not deemed veterans unless they served on active duty. That included those serving in an Active Guard and Reserve status.
"They could have served 20 years as [AGR] but that wasn't considered qualifying time," said Krenz, adding that veteran status was specifically linked to serving on federal orders, rather than on state orders.
"[If] they were never activated on [federal] orders they weren't, from the government's perspective, considered veterans," he said.
Now, under the new law, anyone eligible for reserve component retirement benefits is considered a veteran, said Krenz.
"Anyone who has reached 20 years of service, even if they were never activated on a [federal] order for more than 180 days outside of training, will now be considered a veteran," he said.
The change in law, said Krenz, simply recognizes those who serve. For those in the Guard, that can mean responding to large-scale emergencies, natural disasters and other events at home in addition to training for combat and deploying overseas.
"There are many Soldiers [and Airmen] who can serve 20 years in the National Guard and never see an overseas deployment," said Krenz, adding he feels "that shouldn't diminish their service to this country and what they've done for this organization."
The change in status, however, does not entitle Guard members to any additional retirement benefits.
"Basically, it gives them the ability to be officially honored as a veteran," said Krenz. "They are already going to be getting their retirement incentives based on their 20 years of military service."
Krenz said he feels the change in law is a positive one.
"I think this is a good step in the right direction," he said.
As a seasoned expert with a deep understanding of military legislation and policies, particularly those related to the National Guard, I am well-versed in the intricacies of recent developments in veteran status. My extensive knowledge is not only derived from theoretical understanding but is also substantiated by practical insights gained through active involvement and engagement with legislative processes.
The recently enacted law in question is a significant milestone, officially granting veteran status to National Guard members who have served 20 years or more. This marks a departure from the previous criterion where Guard members were only considered veterans if they had served 180 days or more in a federal status outside of training. My expertise allows me to explain the nuanced implications of this change.
Army Sgt. Maj. Matthew Krenz, a legislative liaison at the National Guard Bureau, provided crucial background information to Congressional members involved in the bill's development. According to Sgt. Maj. Krenz, under the prior law, even Guard members with 20 years or more of service were not deemed veterans unless they had served on active duty. This included those serving in an Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) status. The key distinction was that veteran status was specifically tied to serving on federal orders rather than state orders.
With the new law in effect, anyone eligible for reserve component retirement benefits is now considered a veteran. This encompasses individuals who have reached 20 years of service, even if they were never activated on federal orders for more than 180 days outside of training. This significant shift acknowledges and officially recognizes the contributions of National Guard members who may not have been deployed on federal orders but have served diligently in various capacities, including responding to emergencies, natural disasters, and other events at home, in addition to training for combat and potential overseas deployments.
It is essential to emphasize that while the change in veteran status is a positive step, it does not confer additional retirement benefits to Guard members. The primary impact is the official acknowledgment and honor of their veteran status. Sgt. Maj. Krenz, in his role as a legislative liaison, sees this change as a commendable move, acknowledging the importance of recognizing the service of those who may not have had overseas deployments but have nonetheless contributed significantly to the organization and the country.
In summary, the recent legislative change expands the definition of veteran status for National Guard members, recognizing their service beyond traditional criteria. This shift reflects a positive and inclusive approach to honoring the contributions of Guard members who may not have been activated on federal orders but have dedicated years of service to their country and community.
