Veteran

[Glen]

An application form asks Are you a veteran? by which they mean of the military. Nevertheless, one can be a veteran of anything, in the sense of having gone through some experience.

To narrow it down, could we say ¿Es usted veterano militar?

I did find veterano de guerra yet that wouldn't include veterans who served in the military but for whatever reason did not participate in any war. They're still considered veterans for the purposes of the application.

[Julvenzor]

Yes, why not?

In any case, if that form is directed to military veterans, people will understand it immediately.

A pleasure.

[Glen]

Thanks Julvenzor, and no, the form goes out to the general public at large, so that's why I wanted to be specific about what sort of veteran it means. I'll use veterano militar unless a better idea comes up.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I've just been told that "veterano militar" might be understood as someone who was old and dismissed from the army for such reason, so I propose "¿Ha estado usted en el ejército?" This might be clearer for everyone.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

"¿Ha estado usted en el ejército?"

Good idea, that narrows it down better - but so as to include the other branches of service that also qualify one to be a veteran, how about

¿Ha servido usted en las fuerzas armadas de EE.UU.?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

That makes it even more specific. It sounds fine to me.

[Glen]

Ah, thanks. Now at the risk of offending Julvenzor (ha ha) I think I ought to capitalize Fuerzas Armadas as is done in English

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I think "Fuerzas Armadas" can be capitalized, since you are referring to the institution with its proper name.