I served in the army. vs I have served in the army

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I served in the army." is in the simple past tense and is used to talk about a specific time in the past when the action of serving in the army took place. "I have served in the army." is in the present perfect tense and is used to indicate that the action of serving in the army has been completed at some point before now.

Last updated: March 17, 2024 • 11527 views

I served in the army.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is in the simple past tense and is used to talk about a specific time in the past when the action of serving in the army took place.

Examples:

I served in the army for five years.
He served in the army during the war.

Show examples from the web [+]

May 13, 2013 ... "I served in the army for over 20 years until I retired." Most native speakers don't know how to use the present perfect, and most non-native ...
I served in the army 1979 and did 181 days during peace time I am now 100% disabled when I tried to qualified for a VA home loan they denied me saying I ...
Dec 3, 2012 ... I served in the Army from 1964-66 and I have an I.D. card. went to VA hospital in Brooklyn NY got it 10 days later. There are many stores that ...
“I served in the Army. I came home and found that one day you have the whole world in your hands and the next, nothing. In the winters, I sought shelter and ...

Alternatives:

I was in the army.
I served in the military.
I did military service.
I was a soldier.
I enlisted in the army.

I have served in the army

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is in the present perfect tense and is used to indicate that the action of serving in the army has been completed at some point before now.

Examples:

I have served in the army for ten years.
She has served in the army since she was 18.

Show examples from the web [+]

May 13, 2013 ... "I have served in the army for over 20 years until I retired." The person is no longer in the army but wrote me such a sentence. If the person is no ...
Sep 21, 2007 ... I am not a recruiter but I have served in the Army for 18 years. I used my GI Bill benefits to pay for my degree and so have other countless other ...
Jun 15, 2015 ... That said, I have served in the Army, and in my career aboard Navy Ships, Airforce Planes, and even to the White House under 5 Presidents.
I have served in the Army National Guard for over 10 years and have experience in the Intelligence community as well as the Infantry. My latest deployment was ...

Alternatives:

I have been in the army.
I have done military service.
I have been a soldier.
I have enlisted in the army.
I have had military experience.

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I served in the army. vs I have served in the army