I ran across this comment on another message board, and did a double-take: Kerry is an actual veteran. Unlike W.

Is there a difference between an active duty veteran or a National Guard/Reserve veteran?

UPDATE: the original poster clarified her comment. Apparently, Kerry is an “actual veteran” because he saw combat. So my question now becomes:

Is there a difference between an active duty veteran or a National Guard/Reserve veteran? What about a combat veteran from a non-combat veteran? Since we didn’t see combat, are we only simulated veterans? Virtual veterans?