war veteran
Former military combatant
A war veteran is someone who served in the military during wartime.
The term emphasizes combat-era service rather than peacetime duty, though direct combat experience isn't required.
War veterans gathered at the memorial on the anniversary of the armistice.
Often shortened to simply veteran in contexts where wartime service is understood.
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
- shell shockWar-induced psychological trauma
- combat fatigueWar-induced psychological strain
anxiety · depression · hypervigilance · triggers · counseling · therapy · mental health · support group
Courage in danger
- braveryBoldness before danger
- courageFortitude facing danger
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
fearless · selfless · defender · sacrifice · distinguished · legendary · decorated · honored
Organized distribution of resources
- tour of dutyAssigned period of service
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- enlistedSigned up formally
- infantryGround combat troops
platoon · regiment · barracks · uniform · military · comrade · duty · sacrifice
- amputeeOne without a limb
- prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
- disabledMade unable to function
- scarredMarked by healed wounds
injured · shrapnel · rehabilitation · VA hospital · medevac · casualty · Purple Heart · recovery
Metal honor token
- commendationFormal expression of approval
- Purple HeartMilitary wound decoration
- Bronze StarMilitary decoration for merit
- Silver StarCombat gallantry decoration
honors · citation · ribbon · badge · service cross · oak leaf · distinguished service · meritorious
Non-military everyday existence
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- homecomingReturning to one's origin
- transitionChange from one state
- employmentPaid occupation status
family reunion · support network · readjustment · community · workforce · job training · GI Bill · housing
PTSD
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- flashbacksInvoluntary vivid memory episodes
- nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
- shell shockWar-induced psychological trauma
combat fatigue · anxiety · depression · hypervigilance · triggers · counseling · therapy · mental health · support group · emotional distress
valor
Courage in danger
gallantry · fearless · selfless · defender · sacrifice · distinguished · legendary · decorated · honored · celebrated
deployment
Organized distribution of resources
- tour of dutyAssigned period of service
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- enlistedSigned up formally
infantry · platoon · regiment · barracks · uniform · military · comrade · duty · sacrifice · frontline
combat wounds
- amputeeOne without a limb
- prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
- disabledMade unable to function
scarred · injured · shrapnel · rehabilitation · VA hospital · medevac · casualty · Purple Heart · recovery · physical therapy
medal
Metal honor token
- commendationFormal expression of approval
- Purple HeartMilitary wound decoration
- Bronze StarMilitary decoration for merit
Silver Star · honors · citation · ribbon · badge · service cross · oak leaf · distinguished service · meritorious · Victoria Cross
civilian life
Non-military everyday existence
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
- homecomingReturning to one's origin
- transitionChange from one state
employment · family reunion · support network · readjustment · community · workforce · job training · GI Bill · housing · benefits
- Veteransvets, VA, retired soldier, ex-serviceman, combat vet
- disabilitydisability rights, disability culture, disability activism, disability services, disability identity
- childhood influencesgrandparent, mentor, teacher, coach, pet
- Disabilitiesblind, paralysis, vision loss, developmental disability, hearing impairment
- HemingwaySantiago, Nobel Prize, Key West, Cuba, brevity
- noir charactersfemme fatale, private eye, gumshoe, hard-boiled detective, dame
war veterancivilian
Non-military person
noncombatant · pacifist · conscientious objector · draft dodger · private citizen
war veteranwar refugee
One fleeing armed conflict
civilian casualty · noncombatant · innocent bystander · peace activist · warmonger
war, veteran, wars, warring, warlike, wartime, veterans, war veterans