American Veterans: Who Are They?

American veterans are individuals who have served their nation in the military and continue to play a vital role in strengthening their communities and the country. They come from diverse backgrounds and have made the courageous choice to serve—something many others may not do—because they believe in the core principles of the nation. Their service is an act of self-sacrifice, which is why they hold such an esteemed place in society.

Who are the Veterans?

The following information was taken in bullet point from Who Are American Veterans?(2023).

• According to Title 38 of the United States Code, a veteran is defined as:
  “A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.”

• In 2023, veterans made up 6.1% of the adult American population, totaling approximately 15.8 million individuals.

• Racial and ethnic composition of veterans:

  • 74.1% White

  • 12.6% Black

  • 8.6% Hispanic or Latino

• Age demographics (2023):

• 49.0% of veterans were aged 65 or older

• 27.9% were aged 75 or older

*Part of a project.