BY TAMMY WALTERS
Oneida County Veterans Service Officer

Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) have a few different purposes.

They are a way for veterans who have common ground to get to know each other and to help each other as well as help their community.

Additionally, VSOs across the country fight to gain or preserve veterans’ rights and benefits.

Lastly, VSOs help veterans file claims with the VA. In each VA Regional Office, there are various VSOs whose job is to file claims. We have them in our VA Regional Office in Milwaukee; however, unlike many states, we also have County Veterans Service Offices so veterans don’t have to travel great distances for assistance.

Different VSOs have different eligibility requirements. Here are just a few:

American Legion
Served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, or are currently serving, and received an honorable discharge and served during the following eras:
Aug. 2, 1990 – present (Persian Gulf/War on Terrorism)
Dec. 20, 1989 – Jan. 31, 1990 (Operation Just Cause, Panama)
Aug. 24, 1982 – July 31, 1984 (Lebanon/Grenada)
Feb. 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 (Vietnam)
June 25, 1950 – Jan. 31, 1955 (Korea)
Dec. 7, 1941 – Dec. 31, 1946 (WWII, including Merchant Marines)

American Veterans (AmVets)
Served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard and Reserves, any time after Sept. 15, 1940; must have received an honorable discharge unless still serving on active duty. American citizens who served in the Armed Forces of an allied nation under honorable conditions between Sept. 15, 1940 and May 8, 1975, are also eligible, as are wartime members of the Merchant Marines.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Served in the U.S. Armed Forces during a period of war or under conditions simulating war and was wounded or left with a long-term illness as a result of military service and was discharged or retired under honorable conditions.

Marine Corps League (MCL)
Currently serving or served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps on active duty for not less than 90 days and earned the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, or is currently serving or has served honorably in the Marine Corps Reserve and earned no less than 90 Reserve Retirement Credit Points. U.S. Navy Corpsmen who are currently serving or have trained with Marine FMF Units in excess of 90 days and earned the Marine Corps device (clasp) or the warfare device worn on the service ribbon authorized for FMF corpsmen are also eligible. Additionally, U.S. Navy Chaplains who are currently serving or have served and have earned the FMF Badge serving with the Marines are eligible. General Discharges under honorable conditions are acceptable for acceptance into the Marine Corps League.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces and is entitled to the award of a recognized campaign medal.

Tammy Walters can be reached at (715) 369-6127 or twalters@co.oneida.wi.us. Jason Dailey, Assistant CVSO, can be reached at the same number or jdailey@co.oneida.wi.us. You can also contact us via Facebook at www.facebook.com/oneidacvso.