Originally Posted by CyberSEO

You have a bit childish post(?)-ranking military system in there. In my country you can be called a "vet" only you've been involved in some real war operations like storming of Reichstag in 1945 or storming Amin's Palace in 1979. Otherwise you are just nobody here. A man who was in army? Pfff, everybody was there - not a surprise. For example, I'm have an LT rank (unfortunately don't know yours, soldier). A not former and not active one - I'm in reserve. I've been served my time and now I'm not an active officer, but in case of war I'll be sent to my place according to my rank and military specialization in a couple of days.

But if I will call myself a "vet", the people will be laughing on me till a heart attack

Every man here has an army background, some of us is a narrow specialist officer (tech, aviation, mechanics, IT pros, fuel suppliers, rocket systems etc), other are cannon fodder VDV dancing soldiers as Rochard calls 'em.

P.S. I have these straps, but I would wear them in case of war only.