Combat vets how do you feel toward non-combat vets?

Combat's not a big thing to brag about... it's part of the job and expected, if not wanted by any SM. I always felt "better me than someone else" while in the fight. My unit was top notch and trained hard to perform under fire. Any SM who served the US has save us from drafting some poor sod that doesn't want to go to war. I like hearing their training and garrison stories as much as I listen to combat stories.

So glad you broached this subject, MSgt. Borders! I have struggled with this because it seems most people (read NON military) consider that to be a "XXXXX" (insert any conflict here) veteran, one must have seen combat.

Admittedly, and now after reading all the responses ashamedly, I began to believe that. However, I know, as many of you stated, the importance ALL the roles of members of a service. This was emphasized by a WW II veteran. A number of years ago, my father was interviewing WW II veterans in the small, rural town in which he lived as part of a program for the National Archives. I went with him on one such interview.

After telling us about Boot Camp, his "AIT" (I hope I got that right?), and then posting in a clerical job, he began to cry. He remembered some of his buddies from Boot Camp who died in combat and wishing he could have deployed with them. But, as he said, with out him and the clerical job he did, those same buddies would not have gotten paid, leave, etc.

Also, from a personal viewpoint: When I was active duty I was at a bomber base (Fairchild AFB); I'm sure this applies to all AF bases with aircraft. Majority of people focus on the pilots. Yes, they are the "front line" that everyone sees, but EVERY person on the base has a critical job. Mine, as a Security Specialist, was to protect the base. When people deploy, my job is important because in essence, we were protecting their families; one less thing they had to worry about.

Thank you again for all who posted and made this veteran realize (again) that we are all brothers and sisters, combatant or not. Thank you ALL for your sacrifice and service. God Bless you.

I think it really depends on the experience garnered from serving in a combat zone. As a Public Affairs Soldier, we are the eyes on the ground for the Soldiers and the families back home. We tell the Soldiers' story, and we develop our own. For me, being in those situations has helped develop me as both a Soldier and a leader. I do not know if I had been in garrison for twice that amount of time, if I would have gone through the same change.

From my experiences there really isn't a difference, the closest thing there is to a difference is other service members, vs guys YOU deployed with, combat our not there is a special bond from being deployed and knowing those guys YOU went with would have your back. It doesn't mean no one else would cover your ass, or that they are any less competent, but that they WERE there, and WERE watching out for you is something different, but to answer your question, I would say, no.

Overall no I do not have any animosity towards non-combat vets. The big factor is that you did not ask not to deploy. Some serve and no wars are during their time or they only had limited call-up (Gulf War) during their service. Deploying does not make you a better Soldier or leader or a worse one if you never deployed. You can serve with honor all the same. I would understand if you did ask not to deploy due to your family's health issues. I understand that and would still respect you as long as you did your job assigned to you at home to the best of your ability and with honor. What I do not like though when I see people purposely move around to avoid deployments. Those people who transfer out right after they hear that the unit is deploying and then returning when we are back or for rear-det. to avoid other deployments. We all have seen them. Others purposely get pregnant in order to avoid deployment or the very rare occasion those who get hurt to avoid deploying.

So in short I thank you for your service. You did your time and passed the torch with honor.

I enlisted in late '87, first duty station was Ft. Carson, CO, 4th ID which turned out to be one of the only divisions in the Army that did not deploy as a division to Desert Storm. I "worried" for more than a few years about being a non-combat vet as it seemed everyone besides 4th ID and 2nd ID had a combat patch from DS/DS. However, I can not recall anyone I ever served with at the time that gave me crap for not having a patch myself. I reciprocated after deploying twice in 3 years with 3rd ID, I never looked down on anyone that didn't have a patch because I knew there were certain situations that led to this being a fact. I also know that just because one has deployed doesn't necessarily mean they are then end-all, be-all in leadership and/or competence; just as one that has not deployed is not immediately a rag-bag or one who has ducked a deployment. You have to evaluate an individual for yourself, regardless of whether or not they have a patch on the right or not, as to what kind of person/leader they are.

MSgt,
You've done more that the majority of Americans. I'm sure taking care of your wife has been extremely stressful. You did exactly what a good spouse should do. Hopefully your wife is doing better. Hold your head high MSgt as an old combat vet I hold nothing but respect towards you.

I spent 2-1/2 years in Germany from 1964 to 1967 during the cold war. I spent 1 year in Thailand as a medic, during that tour, Cambodia and Vietnam fell. We took in and set up a tent city on the beach at UTapao for the refugees from Viet-Nam. We medically cleared them before they were allowed to enter the US. The ship Mayaguez fell into communist hands. We took care of the injured Marines from that conflict. We sent mercy missions to both Cambodia and Viet-Nam to pick up and transferred Half caste Asian/American children to prevent them from being murdered by the North Vietnamese. As I wasn't chosen for those flights, we did send a number of our staff to attend the children. In my 20 years I was never sent in harms way. As a medic my job was to maintain the medical stability of the personnel on the base. Stateside also included the families of both active duty personnel but also the retiree population. Do I consider myself a vet? HELL YES.

Brother you did what needed to be done, regardless of the stress placed on you. Service to the nation is merely a chapter in the book of life, whereas family is the majority of the entire story. You did the right thing..Brothers in arms..

I my opinion it should not matter, if your not in combat .you are supporting it no matter what. You personally are part of the unit. We have all sacrificed some of our life. You are fortunate to have friends like that. And to have understanding CO. That is great. You gave 20 years, be confident in your service and sacrifices.