former military service members
Latin 'veteranus' meaning 'old, experienced'
Veterans are veteran fighters - they've got the experience to prove it!
Military institutions historically excluded women; 'veteran' silently defaults to male. Women's military service is recent and often statutorily excluded from certain benefits, creating legal gender gaps.
Use 'veteran' for all; specify if relevant (e.g., 'women veterans' when highlighting their gains), but gender-neutral is standard now.
["former service member","military service person"]
Women veterans fought for recognition after WWI nursing roles and WWII service were minimized; honor that fight by counting them in 'veteran' without apology.
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