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

I spent 20years, sept 75- oct 95. I never deployed to combat. Airborne, air assault, always a wheeled mechanic. Airborne engineers 10 years. airborne infantry 2 years. I feel your pain. I was available, I was ready, I was never called. I feel like the Army had a party, I was all dressed up and never invited.

Being a Retired "Combat Vet" myself this is what I always felt, even though I was in theater and running in convoys 2 or 3 times a week, I wasn't kicking down doors or clearing town's. Jobs that I had trained for during my active duty time. I still get the feeling that I didn't serve to my full potential. However all of the jobs and personnel that make up this great military have to be utilized so that those who do 'kick down doors" can do their jobs. The same thing goes for all of the different branches of the military, they are at times needed to do a job that only they can do. Only you could have done the job that you were doing, and you might have only been placing your comrades in jeopardy had you went with them. Soldiers need to be focused on their job and not distracted by things at home.

You are just as much a veteran as anybody else.

You chose to put on the uniform with the understanding that you could deploy at any time. It was not your fault that you didn't serve in combat. Circumstances do arise from time to time. As a combat vet, myself, I understand that there is a need for Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen outside of a combat zone. I view you as a brother vet. The only animosity I have towards non-combat vets are those who intentionally looked for ways to get out of a combat tour. There is no animosity from me towards a non-combat vet who either was in a non-deployable status due to unit assignment or MOS need, nor any towards those who could not deploy due to circumstances out of their control (as in your case).

I guess serving on an Aircraft Carrier, supplying the steam to push that ship thru the water, and launch those aircraft is the same thing. I was not in combat, as such, but I provided the service they needed to complete the mission. But never thought I did not serve in a combat zone!!

First the bottom line you served your (our) country proud! I am a non-combat vet also, being in combat changes a person quite a bit. I should back up a little, I have spent more times in combat or war infected hot spots since my release. While I was active during my tenure I was ready to go, however was never sent.. I had those thoughts of being deployed while active duty, but then as I also said spending over a decade in war infected hot spots, wearing a different uniform but fighting for the same cause changes a person.. Sorry to hear about your wife and Happy to hear that your son is serving.. Be Proud, Be American!!

MSgt (Join to see)

After rereading the question, any Veterinarian who is willing to go into combat to save animals should look down on another vet who does not have what it takes for the animals under their care?

I guess the cold medicine is starting to work?

I think the connection is being a veteran like your buds said and not combat vs non-combat. I believe that too.

Served in the USN (1971-1991) and retired as a Chief after 20 years of service. While serving, you go where you are ordered to go. So in my book, combat veterans and non-combat veterans are and should be on the same footing.

I didn't get to attend any Salsa Dances at the USO or Kandahar boardwalk.....damn!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inwsq94Zkuw

QUOTE from AR15.com
"No worries man. I appreciate the offer but really, I'm living better here than any of my previous tours. The only thing I need is a JDAM strike of common sense to hit this place. I'm just glad I get to fly out pretty much whenever I feel like it. If I was stuck here like some.....I'd lose my f----ing mind.

I guess what really bugs me is this is my first Divisional level experience. I've never been/worked out of a place like KAF. The stuff that goes on here was always the things that I saw on AFN that made us so angry. Like the Batman of Bagram, little news reports of hotdog eating contests, MPs walking around snatching people's CAC cards over PT belts, salsa night, etc. Just a different "war" than I'm used to I suppose. Haha, it makes me feel a little dirty inside..."