Are you considered a veteran with a general discharge?

Under federal law, a veteran is any person who served honorably on active duty in the armed forces of the United States. Discharges marked “general and under honorable conditions” also qualify. … They would be considered a veteran no matter how long they served.

A Form DD 256 is a certificate of honorable discharge utilized by the U.S. Department of Defense and the different branches of military service. An honorable discharge occurs when a service person successfully completes a term of duty with one of the military branches.

If you are a veteran or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, you may now use vetrecs.archives.gov to order a copy of your military records. For all others, your request is best made using a Standard Form 180. It includes complete instructions for preparing and submitting requests.

Actually, no regulation specifies that the president should salute (or return the salute of) military personnel. In fact, U.S. Army regulations, for example, state that neither civilians nor those wearing civilian attire (both of which describe the U.S. president) are required to render salutes.

The United States Army and United States Air Force give salutes with head both covered and uncovered, but saluting indoors is forbidden except when formally reporting to a superior officer or during an indoor ceremony.

When an officer enters a room, the first enlisted person to recognize the officer calls personnel in the room to attention but does not salute. A salute indoors is rendered only when reporting to an officer. Walk on the left of and slightly behind an officer or NCO of superior rank.