During the annual Fort Leavenworth Command and General Staff College visit to Emporia, Field Studies Program Chair David Bornn Jr of the International Military Student Division posed a question he has asked each year the program has visited the founding city of Veterans Day: “What is a veteran?”
There were many different answers offered to that question, as the criteria for veteran status can vary from country to country. Major Geremy Bellot of France, one of the officers attending this year’s program, told KVOE News that in his country, not only are the criteria for veterans different, but so is the name.
Lt. Colonel Mher Grigoryan of Armenia says when it comes to veteran matters, there are some similarities and differences between Armenia and the United States. One thing that stood out is that there are organizations and individuals in his country that help to support veterans following their time in uniform.
During his comments Tuesday, Bornn stated that when it comes to veterans in America, it is not about how long you served but how well noting that veterans gain their designation for any length of service so long as they receive a DD Form 214 and a discharge of any kind aside from dishonorable. When asked why it is important to convey this message to the staff college participants, Bornn stated:
That message was well received by many in attendance including Major Alvin Hayes of Liberia West Africa who says he was very inspired by the dedication of Americans to caring for their military service members both past and present.
The Command and General Staff College, based in Leavenworth, is a ten-month program that provides students with a comprehensive education on United States military tactics, history, and American culture. 120 officers representing more than 90 countries are participating in this year’s class. Tuesday marked the 21st year that the Command and General Staff College has come to Emporia as part of its year-long curriculum.
