Voluntary veterans self-identification categories

A disabled veteran is defined as:

(i) a veteran who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or

(ii) a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

Active duty or wartime campaign badge veteran

Active duty or wartime campaign badge veteran is defined as a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized.

Please see the following for a list of qualifying campaigns, campaign badges and expeditions. This information is also available at the website for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Recently separated veteran - discharge or release date

Recently separated veteran or discharge or release date means a veteran who was discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service within the last three-years.

Armed Forces Service medal veteran

Armed Forces Service medal veteran is defined as a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medial was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985 (61 Fed. Reg. 1209).

Please see the following for a list of qualifying campaigns, campaign badges and expeditions.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) and inclusive dates:

  • Afghanistan (Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF): OEF September 11, 2001 to present; OIF March 19, 2003 to present
  • Berlin: August 14, 1961 to June 1, 1963
  • Bosnia (Operations Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard and Joint Forge): November 20, 1995 to December 20, 1996; December 20, 1996 to June 20, 1998; June 21, 1998 to present
  • Cambodia : March 29, 1973 to August 15, 1973
  • Cambodia Evacuation (Operation Eagle Pull): April 11-13, 1975
  • Congo: July 14, 1960, to September 1, 1962,and November 23-27, 1964
  • Cuba: October 24, 1962 to June 1, 1963
  • Dominican Republic : April 28, 1965 to September 21, 1966
  • El Salvador: January 1, 1981 to February 1, 1992
  • Global War on Terrorism: September 11, 2001 to present
  • Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury): October 23, 1983 to November 21, 1983
  • Haiti (Operation Uphold Democracy): September 16, 1994 to March 31, 1995
  • Iraq (Operations Northern Watch, Desert Spring, Enduring Freedom (OEF)), and Iraqi Freedom (OIF)): January 1, 1997 to present; December 31, 1998 to December 31, 2002 (projected); OEF September 11, 2001 to present; OIF March 19, 2003 to present
  • Korea: October 1, 1966 to June 30, 1974
  • Kosovo: March 24, 1999 to present
  • Laos: April 19, 1961 to October 7, 1962
  • Lebanon: July 1, 1958 to November 1, 1958 and June 1, 1983 to December 1, 1987
  • Mayaquez Operation: May 15, 1975 to May 15, 1975
  • Operations in the Libyan Area (Operation Eldorado Canyon): April 12-17, 1986
  • Panama (Operation Just Cause): December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990
  • Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Earnest Will): July 24, 1987 to August 1, 1990
  • Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Southern Watch): December 1, 1995 to present
  • Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Vigilant Sentinel): December 1, 1995 to February 1, 1997
  • Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Desert Thunder): November 11, 1998 to December 22, 1998
  • Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Desert Fox): December 16, 1998 to December 22, 1998
  • Persian Gulf Intercept Operation: December 1, 1995 to present
  • Quemoy and Matsu Islands: August 23, 1958 to June 1, 1963
  • Somalia (Operations Restore Hope and United Shield): December 5, 1992, to March 31, 1995
  • Taiwan Straits: August 23, 1958 to January 1, 1959
  • Thailand: May 16, 1962 to August 10, 1962
  • Vietnam Evacuation (Operation Frequent Wind): April 29-30, 1975
  • Vietnam (including Thailand): July 1, 1958 to July 3, 1965

Navy expeditionary medal and Marine Corps medal for these operations and inclusive dates:

  • Cuba: January 3, 1961 to October 23, 1962
  • Indian Ocean/Iran: November 21, 1979 to October 20, 1981
  • Iranian/Yemen/Indian Ocean: December 8, 1978 to June 6, 1979
  • Lebanon: August 20, 1982 to May 31, 1983
  • Liberia (Operation Sharp Edge): August 5, 1990 to February 21, 1991
  • Libyan Area: January 20, 1986 to June 27, 1986
  • Panama: April 1, 1980 to December 19, 1986 and February 1, 1990 to June 13, 1990
  • Persian Gulf: February 1, 1987 to July 23, 1987
  • Rwanda (Operation Distant Runner): April 7-18, 1994
  • Thailand: May 16, 1962 to August 10, 1962

Other campaign and service medals and inclusive dates:

  • Army Occupation of Austria: May 9, 1945 to July 27, 1955
  • Army Occupation of Berlin: May 9, 1945 to October 2, 1990
  • Army Occupation of Germany (Exclusive of Berlin): May 9, 1945 to May 5, 1955
  • Army Occupation of Japan: September 3, 1945 to April 27, 1952
  • Chinese Service Medal (Extended): September 2, 1945 to April 1, 1957
  • Korean Defense Service Medal: July 28, 1954 to (date to be determined)
  • Korean Service: June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1954
  • Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Operation Allied Force: March 24, 1999 to June 10, 1999
  • Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Operation Joint Guardian: June 11, 1999 to (date to be determined)
  • Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Operation Allied Harbor: April 4, 1999 to September 1, 1999
  • Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Operation Sustain Hope/Shining Hope: April 4, 1999 to July 10, 1999
  • Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Operation Noble Anvil: March 24, 1999 to July 20, 1999
  • Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Task Force Hawk: April 5, 1999 to June 24, 1999
  • Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Task Force Saber: March 31, 1999 to July 8, 1999
  • Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Task Force Falcon: June 11, 1999 to (date to be determined)
  • Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) Task Force Hunter: April 1, 1999 to November 1, 1999
  • Navy Occupation of Austria: May 8, 1945 to October 25, 1954
  • Navy Occupation of Trieste: May 8, 1945 to October 25, 1954
  • Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) (Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm): August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995
  • Units of the Sixth Fleet (Navy): May 9, 1945 to October 25, 1955
  • Vietnam Service Medal (VSM): July 4, 1965 to March 28, 1973
  • Rwanda (Operation Distant Runner): April 7 -18, 1994
  • Thailand: May 16, 1962 to August 10, 1962