The word “veteran” was uttered seven times during Monday night’s debate – each time by President Barack Obama.

Republican nominee Mitt Romney did not use the word although he did say: “We're blessed with terrific soldiers.”

Three times, including his closing remarks, Obama veered momentarily into economic and health concerns facing the tens of thousands of men and women returning from war and those ex-service members trying to crack into the civilian work force. He mentioned recently having lunch with a veteran in Minnesota who, due to medical-certification procedures, can’t simply transfer the skills he learned as a combat medic to become a licensed civilian nurse. And he cited work done by First Lady Michelle Obama on the “Joining Forces” initiative, through which 2,000 companies have hired or trained 125,000 veterans or military spouses.

“After a decade of war, it's time to do some nation-building here at home. And what we can now do is free up some resources to, for example, put Americans back to work, especially our veterans ...” Obama said. “Making sure that, you know, our veterans are getting the care that they need when it comes to post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, making sure that the certifications that they need for good jobs of the future are in place.”

Related: Truth squad: The third and final presidential debate
Related: Risks and rewards of Romney's final debate approach

Those shout outs marked the first substantive attention either candidate has paid to former service members during their three debates – and they came 19 days after a leading veterans group urged the contenders to start discussing some of the home-front costs of two American wars, including a higher unemployment rate among ex-troops and battle-related anxiety symptoms linked to an alarming military suicide rate.

On the day after the final direct, verbal showdown between Romney and Obama, four veterans offered their reactions.

Paul Rieckhoff, chief executive officer and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a nonpartisan nonprofit with more than 200,000 members:

Q: What is the most critical issue facing military members?

A: Unemployment, but we've yet to hear either candidate address the scope of the problem – let alone smart solutions. In September, the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans was two percentage points above the general public at 9.7 percent, and even worse for female veterans at 19.9 percent. We must do better.

Q: Did you hear what you needed to hear about that issue?

A: In last night's debate, veteran unemployment briefly became a subject of discussion – finally.

Q: What is your takeaway from last night's debate?

A: The new veteran community needs real leadership and commitment from our next president to reverse negative trends in unemployment, suicide and (Department of Veterans Affairs) services. We haven't seen either candidate step up to the plate, so we'll keep asking the tough questions until November 6th.

Jason Thigpen, founder and president of the Student Veterans Advocacy Group and a student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. As a U.S. Army sergeant, he earned a Purple Heart medal for combat wounds he sustained in Iraq in 2009:

Q: What is the most critical issue facing military members?

A: The budgetary cutbacks on defense spending leading to nearly a million service members losing their jobs, which will send them to the unemployment line. Additional cutbacks in veteran-appropriated budgets by way of education and medical benefits will invariably leave many with unfulfilled promises made to them for their service to our nation, while our government creates more lenient guidelines for illegal immigrants.

Q: Did you hear what you needed to hear about that issue?

A: No, but I do feel as though our efforts to raise awareness of the detrimental impacts facing our veterans, and how that affects our national economy, both now and in the future, are being heard.

Q: What is your takeaway from last night's debate?

A: While I'm not enthusiastic about the lack of bipartisan efforts from our federal legislators, (and) neither party looks appealing to me, I personally think the president has wiped the floor with Governor Romney in every debate. Although I've always considered myself a Republican, I don't feel it's in the best interest to elect Governor Romney as president. Electing Governor Romney will give Republicans control of the House, Senate, and presidency, which doesn't seem like much of a democracy to me, especially with a group of federal legislators whom can't seem to agree on much of anything except the end of a work-day or session.

Genevieve Chase, founder of American Women Veterans, a foundation that works to improve the lives of women veterans and their families. She served in Afghanistan in 2006 and remains in the U.S. Army Reserves. She earned a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a bomb blast in Helmand Province:

Q: What is the most critical issue facing military members?

A: What's going to happen (when) we draw down our presence in Afghanistan? How will the military, responsibly and with the best interests of its members and families in mind, decide which troops will be kicked out in order to bring down its numbers? The witch hunts have already started and I'm learning of incidents that are disconcerting.

Q: Did you hear what you needed to hear about that issue?

A: The money our country thinks we'll save in the defense budget will need to be put toward our veterans – there’s no getting around the fact that America will be paying for these wars in one way or another, long after they're over. I'd like to know how either candidate proposes they'll do that.

Q: What is your takeaway from last night's debate?

A: That war has become so lucrative for some and the defense industry employs thousands of veterans who have families and no degrees – they will need jobs in the post-war economy. Before we espouse ideologies, what are the practical measures being considered for the short-term issues – or are we still being so reactive that we're not looking five years ahead? Additionally, in terms of veterans, if the VA backlog isn't being handled now, why is that and what's being done or promised to address it?

John E. Pickens III, executive director of VeteransPlus, a nonprofit that has offered financial counseling to more than 150,000 current and former service members.  He served as a combat medic with the U.S. Army Special Forces and the 82nd Airborne Division in the early 1970s. 

Q: What is the most critical issue facing military members?

A: The unexpected obstacles they face while transitioning into civilian life: jobs and employment. In this economy, it’s a difficult transition. For those who are lucky enough to be engaged by the VA understand their benefits, but they may not realize there are delays getting those benefits. They’re going to wait. That’s improving. But from our experience, those who are transitioning are so excited about the prospect of civilian life, they sometimes fail to see some of the obstacles.

Q: Did you hear what you needed to hear about that issue?

A: No, I honestly didn’t. I was glad that, especially the president, talked about how the nation owes veterans a debt of gratitude and good care. But it’s a much deeper subject than that. The military is an honorable profession. And even though they’re drawing down, we’re wondering: Are people going to continue to look at the military as a good profession, as something I want to go into after high school? It’s that old adage that people will join the military if they truly believe it’s a respected career and that (society) will treat you well when you finish your career.

Q: What is your takeaway from last night's debate?

A: It’s always good to hear people mentioning how we need to appreciate our veterans in a public forum. But somebody I admire a lot, Col. David Sutherland, who co-wrote that outstanding white paper, “Sea of Goodwill”, had a statement that has always stuck with me: ‘Well done is better than well said.’ ”

More content from NBCNews.com:

• Ex-CIA agent pleads guilty to leaking identity of covert operative
• Arizonans to vote on taking Grand Canyon from federal control
• Beard issue again delays military trial in Fort Hood shootings
• Body found in N.J. is that of missing 12-year-old girl, uncle says
• Pa. grandmother found dead, baby missing, police say
• Denied dream wedding site, lesbian couple files discrimination complaint

Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook

Updated 10:07 p.m.

Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, each battling furiously for a win in Saturday's South Carolina primary, pointedly questioned each other's experience to be president, while being forced to account for standing questions about the challenges they face to winning the nomination and beating President Obama.

The two leading candidates in South Carolina's primary this weekend largely avoided sniping at each other in the first half hour of the debate -- a spirited affair less than 36 hours before voting begins in the Palmetto State -- but engaged each other more directly as the evening progressed.

Gingrich was pressed to explain his past support for a mandate for individuals to purchase health insurance, and his manner of leadership as speaker of the House, a tenure described by critics as erratic.

But Gingrich scored early -- and decisively -- with a fiery response to allegations from an ex-wife that drew wild applause from the crowd in attendance.

Romney, meanwhile, had to defend his business record and answer questions as to why he wouldn't release his income tax records, all while relitigating conservative criticism of the health care reform he signed as governor of Massachusetts.

Through this, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, crowned the winner this morning of the Iowa Caucuses after a retabulation of results, was anxious to take on both Romney and Gingrich, distinguishing himself as a steady if not-flashy alternative to the two leading candidates.

The debate, the 17th of the cycle, followed one of the most dramatic days of the 2012 campaign. Thursday saw Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s exit from the campaign trail, new extramarital allegations against Gingrich, polling data showing Romney’s advantage slipping in South Carolina, and a new declaration by the Iowa GOP anointing former Santorum – not Romney – the winner of its Jan. 3 caucus after certifying official results.

Perry drops out of GOP presidential race, endorses Gingrich

The tone of the forum was set early when Gingrich angrily assailed CNN moderator John King for opening the debate by asking Gingrich to answer allegations made by his ex-wife, Marianne, in an interview with ABC News, saying the then-speaker of the House asked to engage in an "open marriage," or else he would file for divorce.

"I am appalled that you would begin a presidential debate with a topic like that," Gingrich said, earning wild applause from the audience. "To take an ex-wife and make it two days before the primary a significant question in a presidential campaign is as close to despicable as anything I can imagine."

Gingrich angrily rebuffs questions about ex-wife

Gingrich disputed the allegations as "false," and his three fellow Republicans onstage resisted piling on. ("Let's get on to the real issues," former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said.)

Recent pollng of the race suggests that Gingrich has been enjoying a late surge in South Carolina, one that could threaten Romney's bid for a win that, his campaign hopes, would all but seal the nomination for the former Massachusetts governor.

An NBC News-Marist poll released Thursday found Romney leading at 34 percent among likely primary voters in the state, followed by Gingrich at 24 percent, Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 16 percent, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum at 14 percent, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry at 4 percent. But in the latter half of the two-day poll, following Gingrich's strong performance during a Monday debate, Romney's lead winnowed to five points.

NBC poll: Newt Gingrich gains ground on Mitt Romney in South Carolina
 
South Carolina has correctly predicted the eventual Republican nominee since the inception of its primary in 1980; in each subsequent contest, the winner has gone on to become the GOP standard-bearer.

Romney has sought to project an air of inevitability surrounding his candidacy, but has been dogged by questions about the business practices of Bain Capital, the private equity firm he cofounded, that go to the core of his argument that he is the candidate most experienced to repair the U.S. economy. Romney's work for Bain also made him wealthy, and Romney's GOP rivals have pressed him to release his tax returns.

He dealt with both issues Thursday evening. Romney sought to explain Bain's work in greater detail, highlighting instances in which its work created jobs. He avoided engaging with Republicans, like Gingrich, who have questioned Romney's private sector record.

"I'm someone who believes in free enterprise," he said. "And I'm going to stand and defend capitalism across this country, throughout this campaign. I know we're going to get hit hard from President Obama, but we're going to stuff it down his throat and point out it is capitalism and freedom that makes America strong."

Romney also faced pressure to release his tax returns. He said he would release records -- going back an unspecified number of "multiple" years -- but not until April, by which time the primary may well be settled.

It was Santorum, though, who put the most pointed questions to the two frontrunners. Santorum, who served in Congress while Gingrich was speaker, raised questions about whether Gingrich's conduct as a leader would lead to a "worrisome moment" for the GOP.

"Grandiosity has never been a problem with Newt Gingrich. He handles it very, very well," Santorum said, later adding: "I knew what the problems were going on in the House of Representatives when Newt Gingrich was leading there. It was an idea a minute, no discipline, no ability to be able to pull things together."

That exchange opened up a broader, sharper discussion between the candidates on their backgrounds. Romney characterized Gingrich as a lifelong insider, and again touted his business experience as the best qualification for his candidacy.

"I was in business 25 years. So you're not going to get credit for my 25 years," Romney said. "I don't recall a single day saying, 'Oh, thanks heavens Washington is there for me.'"

But Romney was also put on the spot by Santorum, and later, Gingrich, over his record in Massachusetts. Gingrich accused Romney of continuing to support abortions even after having announced his opposition to abortion rights. And Santorum went on the attack on Massachusetts health care reform.

"It is not a free-market health care system. It is not bottom-up. It is prescriptive and government. It was the basis for Obamacare," Santorum said.

Romney stumbled at moments and offered wonky answers in response to the criticism, repeatedly vowing that, for whatever his past record shows, he would govern in opposition to abortion rights.

"I did my very best to be a pro-life governor. I will be a pro-life president," Romney said. 

Texas Rep. Ron Paul at times fell to the background, having to make quips at moment about not being afforded an opportunity to join the scrum onstage.  At one point, when the moderator was ready to move on after a question on abortion, the crowd complained that Paul hadn't been given an opportunity to answer.

The debate came after one of the most momentus days in the campaign. Perry ended his bid for the nomination and threw his support behind Gingrich, who has shown signs of revival in South Carolina, and who has sought to rally conservatives under the banner of being the best alternative to Romney.

That narrative shaped Thursday night's debate, which saw Gingrich engage in frequent crowd-pleasing answers, dropping references to Ronald Reagan and taking frequent shots at the media.

Whether Romney did much to reverse his slide likely won't be known until Saturday, when South Carolinians head to the polls. Debate settings have been a strength for Gingrich, and he, Paul and Santorum have relished the opportunity to pile on Romney in these settings. (Another debate is scheduled for Monday night in Florida.)

The debate, hosted by CNN and the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, was broadcast at 8 p.m. ET.