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I wanted to address the stratification of service that exists within the military. There isn't much of that in the Air Force due to the very limited number of actual "Combat" AFSCs. I mean, I feel I did an important job in Iraq by being the COR of a contract that provided employment to LNs doing manual labor around JB Balad. Every Iraqi we gave a paycheck to was one less that was collecting a paycheck for picking up a gun and shooting at coalition forces. However, I am not a combat veteran. The mortars that came down around us on a daily basis doesn't qualify as "combat". Although I feel I earned my hostile fire pay, I still don't feel like I should get the same regards and benefits as combat vets. I get the good natured ribbing that goes down the line from grunts to "fobbits" (of which I proudly consider myself) to those who never deployed. I've never seen that kind of exchange as hostile... it's just part of the military pecking order.
How do you all feel about that? I know they don't have unnecessary jobs and that every job in the military is important... But how do you combat vets really view fobbits and non-deployers? How about inter-service? Is anyone genuinely hostile towards those of different branches?
How do you all feel about that? I know they don't have unnecessary jobs and that every job in the military is important... But how do you combat vets really view fobbits and non-deployers? How about inter-service? Is anyone genuinely hostile towards those of different branches?
Deployment
Combat
Service
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 73
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I think at the end of the day, so long as a person serves honorably at whatever assignment they are on, that is all that matters. My husband told me that some of his soldiers were really bummed out about not having a combat tour, since they went to Kuwait. He sat them down and reminded them that there was no shame in serving where they were told to go. He also reminded them that if they had been slotted to go to Afghanistan, they would have carried out their mission there just like they did in Kuwait. We are both glad to have served in Iraq. It was an eye opening and life changing experience. But, there should not be snobbery from someone because they have deployed to a hazard zone and they feel that they are better than someone else who hasn't. All of our careers are unique. People who dodge combat tours are a whole other topic. Bottom line: be proud of your service!
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COL Jon Thompson
Well said. I like your comment about tour dodgers. I know people did not deploy that wanted to but there are also those who actively avoided combat tours.
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Capt Blake Sawyer
There is great pride in serving your country in any capacity in any place, especially in knowing that when your country needed help, you said yes while 98.4 percent of your fellow countrymen stayed home.
That being said, there is indeed a difference between deploying to a combat zone and actually being in combat. Exposure to danger, even if that danger kills you, is not combat... Combat is killing and therein lies the difference. It's not better or worse, but claiming to have been in combat merely by working in a hazardous area does little more than undermine those who are ordered to perform the execution of enemy targets..
That being said, there is indeed a difference between deploying to a combat zone and actually being in combat. Exposure to danger, even if that danger kills you, is not combat... Combat is killing and therein lies the difference. It's not better or worse, but claiming to have been in combat merely by working in a hazardous area does little more than undermine those who are ordered to perform the execution of enemy targets..
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SGT Monika Sloan
I certainly agree that there is a difference. I don't think that anybody would argue with that point. Maybe it's just different terminology between the branches. But, deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan in any capacity is referred to as a combat tour, in the Army. People who have seen actual combat may not appreciate or care for how it's labeled. But, that's just commonplace terminology.
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LTC (Join to see)
You are right. CSS & CS is about 15 soldiers for each trigger puller.correct me if I'm wrong. No shame being a remf or a fobbit that
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I am very proud of anyone who has served their country whether in combat operations, supporting combat operations, or peace time operations.
I get very, how should I say, suspicious of an Infantryman who has been serving pre 9/11 to present that has never deployed, unless physically incapable of doing so (should be re-classed). Not really sure how that is possible without having an active part in the maneuvering.
I do not make fun of "fobbits" because in one way or another they are extremely important to the Soldiers going outside the wire. Besides everyone is basically Infantry anyway, right?
I get very, how should I say, suspicious of an Infantryman who has been serving pre 9/11 to present that has never deployed, unless physically incapable of doing so (should be re-classed). Not really sure how that is possible without having an active part in the maneuvering.
I do not make fun of "fobbits" because in one way or another they are extremely important to the Soldiers going outside the wire. Besides everyone is basically Infantry anyway, right?
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1SG Mike Demers
SGT Mike D - Very observant statement. Of course not everyone is Infantry, not everyone is SFOD or Ranger either. The point to the comments on this thread is to show that every job has it's purpose and if everyone did there JOB then we probably wouldn't even be having this conversation.
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SGT (Join to see)
Depends on the person I guess. Some fobbits wish they had seen combat while some combat veterans wish they had never seen what they had. Both situations could be justified as harsh depending on who that individual is.
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PFC Justin Edelmayer
I was a unit supply specialist. I was told early on in my army service that no matter the MOS, if you have to pick up a gun and save your ads or someone else's, well then that's what you do. During my time in, I left home base to go to Iraq. Interesting place. I left JBB twice. Once to just go to our main FOB and another on just a wait and see to attempt to stop the enemy. The scouts that I served were more combat ready than me, but as a fobbit, I made sure my fellow soldiers had what they needed to do their jobs.
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There are a few that are generally hostile because of inter-service rivalries and the "pecking order"....they are VERY few, and most of them I suspect have an undiagnosed personality disorder, because these are usually the ones that believe that they are God's gift to the military.
Ultimately, this is a "sibling rivalry". Marines talk about the Army, Army talks about the Air Force and Marines, and everyone makes fun of the Coast Guard. Ditto for the combat/non-combat vets. I am not only a non-combat vet, but haven't deployed overseas. Several people have helped me come to grips with that (for a while I was very embarrassed by it), and I have learned to be very proud of the things I've done and recognize that I am able to fight for people here so that they can focus on the time with their family and their medical here at home....reducing stresses and various other aspects to make a positive impact in Soldiers lives.
How do I know that this is just sibling rivalry? A retired Navy Corpsman buddy of mine and I were going back and forth in the interservice rivalry, where he'd give me crap about being Army, so when he left his computer unlocked I'd change his computer to the Army logo or pictures of "hunky sailors". It wasn't until a civilian joined in the mix, and started talking trash about the Navy that we BOTH jumped in, because this gal felt that her BROTHER being in the Air Force entitled her to this inter-service ribbing.
Additionally, I have a few veteran friends that call me Doc because I've done my best to help with their issues. It doesn't matter to them that I'm not a combat vet. It matters most to them that I care about them and I'm willing to go to the ends of the Earth to fight for ANY Soldier, Sailor, Airmen, Marine, or even Coast Guard that needs the help. Why? We are a family. There may be an older brother, a little sister, even the cousin that annoys the crap out of you. However, when you are serving in this nation's military, you are worthy of that respect. I've never had someone disrespect me because of being a slick-sleeve....just for some they are a bit more guarded about trusting me with some of their struggles.
v/r,
CPT Butler
Ultimately, this is a "sibling rivalry". Marines talk about the Army, Army talks about the Air Force and Marines, and everyone makes fun of the Coast Guard. Ditto for the combat/non-combat vets. I am not only a non-combat vet, but haven't deployed overseas. Several people have helped me come to grips with that (for a while I was very embarrassed by it), and I have learned to be very proud of the things I've done and recognize that I am able to fight for people here so that they can focus on the time with their family and their medical here at home....reducing stresses and various other aspects to make a positive impact in Soldiers lives.
How do I know that this is just sibling rivalry? A retired Navy Corpsman buddy of mine and I were going back and forth in the interservice rivalry, where he'd give me crap about being Army, so when he left his computer unlocked I'd change his computer to the Army logo or pictures of "hunky sailors". It wasn't until a civilian joined in the mix, and started talking trash about the Navy that we BOTH jumped in, because this gal felt that her BROTHER being in the Air Force entitled her to this inter-service ribbing.
Additionally, I have a few veteran friends that call me Doc because I've done my best to help with their issues. It doesn't matter to them that I'm not a combat vet. It matters most to them that I care about them and I'm willing to go to the ends of the Earth to fight for ANY Soldier, Sailor, Airmen, Marine, or even Coast Guard that needs the help. Why? We are a family. There may be an older brother, a little sister, even the cousin that annoys the crap out of you. However, when you are serving in this nation's military, you are worthy of that respect. I've never had someone disrespect me because of being a slick-sleeve....just for some they are a bit more guarded about trusting me with some of their struggles.
v/r,
CPT Butler
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