Veterans are individuals who have served in the U.S. military, whether for a short time or an extended period, but are no longer on active duty. This includes those who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. Those who served in the National Guard or Reserves are considered veterans only if they were called to active duty, excluding the 4-6 months of initial training.

As of 2022, approximately 6.2% of the adult civilian population in the U.S. is made up of veterans. The veteran population varies by state, with notable declines over time. The largest group of veterans are those who served during the Vietnam War era, totaling 5.6 million, followed by 3.9 million veterans from 1990-2001 and 4.1 million from 2001-2021. Meanwhile, the number of veterans who served in Korea and World War II is much smaller, with only about one million remaining. In total, there are roughly 22 million veterans in the U.S. — making up 7.3% of the entire population, including both veterans and active-duty personnel. This demographic shift calls for thoughtful consideration of the needs and support systems available for veterans, especially as their numbers continue to change.