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.
Combat
Military Life
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Duty
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 205
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We're all brothers and sisters of the camo cloth regardless of how or where we served.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca , the AF jet jock guy doesn't wear his camo, only single colored pickle suits! Ask him!
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First, thank you for your service. It was just as important and just as honorable as anybody who served in a combat zone. If you had been called/ordered to the combat zone, you would have gone.
All members of the military support the war effort; some directly and some indirectly.
All members of the military support the war effort; some directly and some indirectly.
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CMSgt Robert Gates
I agree Col. I spent 36 years total military service. I received orders and obeyed them. Even though I entered active duty in 1969 (not drafted), I never received orders or went TDY to a combat zone.
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This becomes a very tricky task for HRC in the assignment process to TRADOC Schools. This will be a significant credibility assessment by combat seasoned Soldiers attending NCOES and OES schools. Soldiers look at the chest and right sleeve to see whether a Soldier was in combat.
I hope is that HRC assigns the best Soldiers to TRADOC schools. Let'e not forget there are sub standard performing Soldiers wearing combat patches and the combat badge instructing our future leaders.
I hope is that HRC assigns the best Soldiers to TRADOC schools. Let'e not forget there are sub standard performing Soldiers wearing combat patches and the combat badge instructing our future leaders.
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What do you consider a "combat vet?"
Does it mean someone actually traded rounds with the enemy?
Does it mean that someone was shot at but due to circumstances could not return fire?
Does it mean that they sat in their CHU watching AFN and not caring because they were too deep into VBC for direct/indirect fire to be a real threat?
Does it mean they were planted in Kuwait and still got the right-side patch just for showing up?
Does it mean someone actually traded rounds with the enemy?
Does it mean that someone was shot at but due to circumstances could not return fire?
Does it mean that they sat in their CHU watching AFN and not caring because they were too deep into VBC for direct/indirect fire to be a real threat?
Does it mean they were planted in Kuwait and still got the right-side patch just for showing up?
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1LT Nick Kidwell
Again, deployed to Ali al-Saleem or Kirkuk or Victory Base Complex or Arifjan? Did they actively participate in combat operations, or were they "fobbits?"
There's a lot of people who have a right-side patch for a variety of reasons, and a guy who did 36-hour dismounted patrols his whole deployment might look down on a guy like me who spent his deployment babysitting detainees.
There's a lot of people who have a right-side patch for a variety of reasons, and a guy who did 36-hour dismounted patrols his whole deployment might look down on a guy like me who spent his deployment babysitting detainees.
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1LT Nick Kidwell
MAJ Keith Young I think you're misunderstanding me entirely.
I am not expressing any level of butthurt as you reply seems to imply. I did my job as assigned, and it is what it is. If anyone wishes to play the "my job was more HOOAH than yours" game, then that's their issue, not mine.
My whole point was/is to clarify the original question. That's it.
I am not expressing any level of butthurt as you reply seems to imply. I did my job as assigned, and it is what it is. If anyone wishes to play the "my job was more HOOAH than yours" game, then that's their issue, not mine.
My whole point was/is to clarify the original question. That's it.
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I show and have respect for anyone who wears or wore the uniform for any branch. It takes everyone to make the machine do it's job. You are one of us and you were dealing with very difficult times in your life. Many of us have no idea what you and your wife had to go through and we're lucky for that. Thank you for your service brother and thanks to your son as well. I bet he makes you proud! Hooah
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MSgt (Join to see)
CPL David Riopelle Spencer Thank you for your kind words. And yes my son makes me very proud.
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I was in during the Cold War and saw no combat, part of me wishes I had & part of me is glad that I didn't. I was a teenager during the Vietnam War & was prepared to sign up & do my part for my country. It ended two years before I graduated. I still enlisted because it is my belief that all legal citizens should do something to better this great country. I have been encouraging my son to join the service after college. If he does will be his decision.
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You signed up. You did what you were directed to. No different than anyone else. Thanks for your lifetime of service to our Nation!
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It seems the people that have the most difficulties with it are the ones who didn't deploy. I don't like that I have never deployed. I volunteered a couple of times but it always came down to me and someone else who had a security clearance and since the other person already had one in place they took them. I take comfort in the fact that when I was mobilized I was working promotions and helping soldiers get more rank and more pay for their families.
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MSgt (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) You are right, seems most who have the problem are the ones who didn't. I tried myself, but it didn't work out for me in 90 & 91. Thank you for your service sergeant.
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A veteran is a veteran. I did not choose a cushy or a difficult job; the Army chose for me... and you. Your service was honorable and the military chose to not send you to a two-way range. Lucky you. Real Soldiers are grateful for the chance to NOT be at war. I can tell you that I have never looked forward to it one bit... I just gritted teeth, rucked up, and did the best I could to accomplish the mission.
My question is: how is your wife? You did not say. Be thankful for the opportunity to serve that your commander afforded you. The time you got to spend in service of your wife when she needed you most is a very precious gift.
My question is: how is your wife? You did not say. Be thankful for the opportunity to serve that your commander afforded you. The time you got to spend in service of your wife when she needed you most is a very precious gift.
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MSgt (Join to see)
Thank you! My wife has now been cancer free since 2008. And now myself battling prostate cancer. But all is well as we continue the march.
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1SG (Join to see)
Tough draw Master Sergeant. Happy to hear about your wife; sorry to hear about you. Keep up the good fight - prostate cancer is very treatable if caught early.
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MSgt (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) Thank you its been a whirlwind but things are looking good. Initially they thought it was more advanced because of the numbers. The surgery went better then they thought, wasn't as bad as thought and I recovered faster then expected. Must be the stubborn Marine side of me. But thank you again for the well wishes. My wife and I appreciate it very much. And I hope all is well with your family also.
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1SG (Join to see)
I'll see them soon. On the way home from Africa now after nine months there. I should see them by mid-month. I can't wait.
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No reason for ANYONE to say ANYTHING to you except that you are equal with those of us that deployed...PERIOD! Anyone who says different has a chip on their shoulder and is probably embellishing something.
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