Definition of a VETERAN:

The most common usage is for former armed services personnel. A veteran is one who has served in the armed forces, but usually not someone who had a dishonorable discharge (though it is common for those suffering from PTSD to receive dishonorable discharges rather than medical retirement or even treatment).

It is especially applied to those who served for an entire career, usually of 20 years or more, or someone who has served in combat, but may be applied for someone who has only served one tour of duty. A common misconception is that one had to have either been in combat and/or has retired from active duty to be called a military veteran. Because of this widely held misconception, women have sometimes not participated in veterans groups or received benefits despite military service.