Posted on Jul 21, 2014
Combat vets how do you feel toward non-combat vets?
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I am a non-combat vet retired in 2004. Never deployed in the first Gulf war, Iraq or Afganistan. My Commander and my Cheif chose to leave me home to care for my wife. Not my choice but I appreciate what they did for us. She was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis in 2001 and breast cancer in 2003. All of my buddies have deployed and I miss that little connection they have when we all get together. So I wonder is there any animosity by combat vets toward non-combat vets. My buds say I'm one of them it doesn't matter. Don't get me wrong I am proud of my service and have a son serving now. Was just curious. Thank you for any feed back.
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 205
MSgt (Join to see), just remember the saying ... A Veteran is someone who, at one point, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of ‘up to and including their life.’ Just because your country didn't cash the check, it doesn't mean that you didn't write it.
There was another post where someone was talking about not feeling like a 'real' veteran because they didn't deploy. My response is basically the same - if we were police officers and I was put in a position where I had to use my weapon or was shot at, you would be no less a 'real' police officer than I just because you were never in that situation.
As MSG Wade Huffman stated, "No animosity here; hold your head high, Brother!"
I do share LTC Paul Labrador's sentiment - I do look down on you if you're one of those that are not willing to share the risks though.
There was another post where someone was talking about not feeling like a 'real' veteran because they didn't deploy. My response is basically the same - if we were police officers and I was put in a position where I had to use my weapon or was shot at, you would be no less a 'real' police officer than I just because you were never in that situation.
As MSG Wade Huffman stated, "No animosity here; hold your head high, Brother!"
I do share LTC Paul Labrador's sentiment - I do look down on you if you're one of those that are not willing to share the risks though.
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Sgt Douglas Hadley
I was active duty Air Force during the first Gulf War....I did not deploy, though my bags were packed...I feel like I a missing a piece of comradery with my fellow Vets who did....I have been going through mental health issues at my local VA Hospital, and I hear the stories from the combat vets and see the issues they are struggling with and it makes me feel ashamed that I am using resources that I feel I did not earn....I want to be able to relate and help where I can, but feel so useless....reading this post does help, but I just don't think I have earned the right to sit with those who served in active combat zones....
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CPO Nate S.
Sir "... A Veteran is someone who, at one point, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of ‘up to and including their life.’ Just because your country didn't cash the check, it doesn't mean that you didn't write it." Truer words were never spoken!
People somehow forget, some checks get cashed and some checks get cashed in part only to be redeemed by by others for the lessons offered and learned by those whose checks were partially cashed (aka disable vets).
My father was a combat vet and while I deployed I never saw combat. But, for my buddies who did we all had a spirit that knew we supported each other regardless. Again sir. Great words. Correct words.
People somehow forget, some checks get cashed and some checks get cashed in part only to be redeemed by by others for the lessons offered and learned by those whose checks were partially cashed (aka disable vets).
My father was a combat vet and while I deployed I never saw combat. But, for my buddies who did we all had a spirit that knew we supported each other regardless. Again sir. Great words. Correct words.
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What you did serving your wife was as or more honorable than those of us who go "downrange". I know when I deploy, I clean up everything at home. I can't imagine how you would have felt if you had left her to be cared for by the rest of your family. You get a BIG THUMBS UP from me.
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SFC (Join to see)
I love the Army but there is no way Im leaving my wife or child with that type of serious issue or condition. If I was a CSM or BN Cdr I wouldnt even LET you go if you wanted to.
There are some things that are just way more important than the Army.
There are some things that are just way more important than the Army.
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SSgt Keith Titus
Family first (if the military will let you). I had a wife that had breast cancer twice and took care of her. (As a civilian), You did great.
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From where I sit there is no such thing as a combat veteran and a non-combat veteran. We all elected to lay down our very lives, if necessary, to defend and protect this nation, those we love and it's way of life. Because of that there is truly no distinction, so whether you performed in theater or not, you were there with all those you knew and all those you didn't know. If you wore a U.S. military uniform, you stood shoulder to shoulder with them all on either side of the spectrum. For any combat veteran that seems to have a probably with any non-combat veteran, remember this, if you cut, it is I who will bleed.
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SGM Joel Cook
1LT Lee Chr - well put sir. Having seen the elephant (been to combat) and not are two horses of different colors. One color is not better that the other just very different. Both very good, honorable horses. Two soldiers that were both deployed at Camp Victory or Balat, Iraq have a unique shared experience that is easy to understand with others that were there. One or two sentences explains almost everything. Not so easy to explain to those who were never there. Books have been written trying to explain the experiences and probably left things out.
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Cpl Cory Clark
What is this nonsense??? The military is a near perfect hierarchy as you'll find. You rate what you've earned, nothing more, nothing less.
Those who served in combat earned something you haven't, regardless of your feelings.
Signed a non combat veteran.
Those who served in combat earned something you haven't, regardless of your feelings.
Signed a non combat veteran.
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The only animosity I have experienced (and had) has involved SMs who have tried hard to AVOID being deployed while others have been deployed multiple times. Other than that, I have the utmost respect for all my brothers and sisters in arms who have chosen to serve, regardless of their deployment status.
I agree with MSG Carl Cunningham and MSG Wade Huffman. MSgt (Join to see), deployment or not, please continue to be proud of the fact that you served your country honorably and earned a retirement. Very few in this day and age commit to a single enlistment, let alone a career in the military. Not everyone has a chance to deploy and in your situation it sounds like you had a chain of command worth their salt.
"To us and those like us, there's damn few of us left!"
I agree with MSG Carl Cunningham and MSG Wade Huffman. MSgt (Join to see), deployment or not, please continue to be proud of the fact that you served your country honorably and earned a retirement. Very few in this day and age commit to a single enlistment, let alone a career in the military. Not everyone has a chance to deploy and in your situation it sounds like you had a chain of command worth their salt.
"To us and those like us, there's damn few of us left!"
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SSG Arron Daniels
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca Haven't heard that in a while. Thanks! "To us and those like us, there's damn few of us left!"
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
SSG Arron Daniels That was my ROTC instructor's favorite toasts so it's been instilled in me from day one, not to mention that its just too true.
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MSG Mel Trout
SSG Arron Daniels - First time I heard that was in the movie Gardens of Stone with James Caan.
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MSG Brad Sand
Nice Mark. After reading some of the other posts, I think I can see a difference I never thought of before, if one was not sent versus someone who actively tried to avoid their duty. I think I would have a problem with anyone who actively tried to avoid their duty but I think that might be a different question?
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SSG John Erny
Well, I hope they never have to face battle it is something that will change you forever. I know it is part of the job and all. It is hard to see young people come home needing help and not getting it. As the unit peer support counselor I had to see that some troops got the help they needed.
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SFC Mark Merino
Well said @SSG John Erny. Peer counseling is on the rise. The VA has acknowledged it's importance and has been placing apprentices around the US and training them to be peer counselors as time and space become available. I believe it is the only way to adequately support 13 years of war veterans.Well done, brother.
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To me is a VET is a VET. Downrange or not does not matter. Some one had to cover my rear in the rear and ship me the items I needed. That said I look down on the able bodies that never got into amy Military serve. I feel that all men and or women need two to 4 years in the Military once they leave high school so they learn to GROW UP.
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PV2 (Join to see)
That's exactly what I did. I went in a month after my high school graduation. My Aunt had to sign permission for me to join. I learned to grow up fast and learned that nobody is going to do sh*t for me but me. I learned discipline, self-respect and self-reliance.
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We are all on the same team no matter what - we all raised that right had and said the Oath.
"I, XXXXXXXXXX, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
"I, XXXXXXXXXX, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
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I agree with MSG Carl Cunningham . Most of the time, we, as service members, have little to no say in whether or not we deploy to begin with. You, MSgt (Join to see) , served honorably, not for just a term or two, but for a career. No animosity here; hold your head high, Brother!
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
Amazing SSG Edmundo Martinez Jr. sounds like this guy was a real bad-a$$hole. Most 11Bs and any other MOSs I know would be chomping at the bit to get a deployment. I know I was. For me it was THE test to see if all your training paid off.
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MSgt (Join to see) If a veteran is disrespected for not deploying what does that say about the other person? Does only the combat time count as service to this great nation? What a ridiculous notion. I was in for 13 years before I ever deployed. It would take someone with a very short memory to know that it was the selfless service of the Cold War veteran who kept the entire world from being vaporized in the world war that could have been. I knew so many retirees who deployed only once in over 20+ years of dedicated service. I knew even more retirees who never deployed. Everyone who wore a uniform is a VETERAN. That term is what makes each of us family. If someone wants to break it down further to "combat veteran" vs. "veteran", they are only isolating themselves. What a shame. Of course they would ALSO have to break it down further into campaigns, job titles, ranks, etc., until they found the very few troops that they would consider as their "peers". Well, more power to them. Let them enjoy the privilege of hanging out with their select handful of troops and spend their life judging others. Everyone who wore a uniform and served their nation HONORABLY will be my family.
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MSgt (Join to see)
SFC Mark Merino you are one of those folks that I'm going to have to meet someday. I think we would get along real well.
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TSgt William Register
We all signed up and were willing to go anywhere as necessary. What difference should it make if you were in during a conflict or not?
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When I was in, women were not allowed to be in combat, I was considered combat support. Thankfully during the time I served, there were no major conflicts as there are now. I have much respect to those who have seen the battlefield. I hope that I would be respected for serving my time regardless of my combat or non-combat status.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
Combat is not defined as a bunch of blue 11Bs fighting against a bunch of red 11Bs. Anyone, anywhere within range of a firing enemy weapons system gets automatic membership to the club. Bullets don't discriminate by gender or MOS. While the military is sslloowwllyy opening combat arms MOSs to women, they have been in combat already - SGT Leigh Ann Hester, MP, awarded the Silver Star. You don't get that for sitting on the FOB doing needle point.
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SPC Michael Brown
I struggled with this for a bit myself. As a Gulf War vet, We had scuds hit near our flight line. l wandered around Kuwait City and pulled guard duty on the flight line at KIA locked and loaded. I never fired a shot. Still, I consider myself qualified for the title combat vet. Yet, I don't think of my actions anything close to engaging the enemy at an outpost in Afghanistan.
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Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns
My brother, SPC Michael Brown, while this may appear like a burden that you must carry alone, make no mistake in understanding that every veteran carry that burden with you. I know quite a bit of heroes we worked for years defending this country and even went on to defend it's citizens through law enforcement who never fired their weapon nor even drew it from it's holster. Know that what makes you a combat veteran is not engaging the enemy but the willingness to do so. Therefore all of us are combat veterans so keep your head up and if you are still feeling a little questionable about your role remember that every aspect of a mission makes that mission successful whether handing out bullets and bandages or death.
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