veteran
No longer green
A veteran is someone with long experience in a field: a veteran journalist, a veteran of the music industry.
Most commonly, veteran refers to a person who has served in the military, especially in combat: Vietnam veterans, Veterans Day.
The word implies seasoning through time and hardship.
As an adjective, veteran means experienced: a veteran campaigner.
Flavored or battle-tested
- skilledHaving learned ability
- expertHighly skilled practitioner
- practicedSkilled from repeated effort
- accomplishedHighly skilled, expert
proficient · tenured · established · old hand · battle-tested · hardened · weathered · knowledgeable
Armed forces member
- servicememberOne serving in military
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- enlistmentVoluntary entry into service
discharge · duty · service · troops · infantry · army · navy · air force
Metal honor token
- valorCourage in danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- braveryBoldness before danger
Purple Heart · Bronze Star · decorated · ceremony · memorial · tribute · recognition · commendation
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- shellshockTrauma from combat exposure
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
hypervigilance · triggers · therapy · counseling · VA hospital · support group · readjustment · survivor guilt
Retired payment recipient
- retireeOne who left work
- benefitsGains or helpful effects
- VAVeterans' federal department
- disabilityImpairment affecting life activities
pension · healthcare · senior · former · civilian · transition · post-service · honorably discharged
Kinship among men
- comradeFellow member, shared cause
- unitIndividual part or measure
- bondBinding tie or connection
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
reunion · VFW · American Legion · esprit de corps · band of brothers · foxhole · buddy · platoon
seasoned
Flavored or battle-tested
accomplished · proficient · tenured · established · old hand · battle-tested · hardened · weathered · knowledgeable · savvy
soldier
Armed forces member
- servicememberOne serving in military
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
enlistment · discharge · duty · service · troops · infantry · army · navy · air force · marines
medal
Metal honor token
bravery · Purple Heart · Bronze Star · decorated · ceremony · memorial · tribute · recognition · commendation · distinguished
PTSD
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- shellshockTrauma from combat exposure
- traumaLasting psychological wound
nightmares · hypervigilance · triggers · therapy · counseling · VA hospital · support group · readjustment · survivor guilt · combat stress
pensioner
Retired payment recipient
disability · pension · healthcare · senior · former · civilian · transition · post-service · honorably discharged · golden years
brotherhood
Kinship among men
fellowship · reunion · VFW · American Legion · esprit de corps · band of brothers · foxhole · buddy · platoon · shared experience
- athletesathlete, Olympian, champion, swimmers, runner
- basketballbasketball, rebound, dunk, basketball camps, dribble
- Pro Sportsteam, teams, league, players, roster
- US MilitaryArmy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Pentagon, West Point
- warcombat, warfare, battle scenes, battles, soldier
- competition levelselite tier, top tier, mid tier, lower tier, upper tier
veterangreen
Color of vegetation
unseasoned · raw · untested · callow · wet behind the ears
- veteran supportAssistance for former servicemembers
- war veteranPerson who served in combat
- veterans servicesAid for former troops
- WWII veteransSoldiers from the forties
- veterinary technicianAnimal healthcare aide
- Veterans DayHoliday honoring military service