Do support personnel count as veterans?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 01:59:38 -0400

I recently had someone tell me that service members who served in a support role don't count as much (are not as "veteranly", if you will) as ones who served in a direct combat role. My reaction was not a good one, having never served in a direct combat role :). Needless to say, this person has never served. Not really a question, just wanted to hear other peoples reaction to this "news."

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made May 18 at 2015 2:01 AM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Mon, 18 May 2015 02:01:07 -0400

Pogs get shot at too

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:02 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 02:02:52 -0400

*Just in case you are slow, this is satire*

We all know that the only real veterans are Force Recon Scout Snipers
or
Special Forces
or
Seals - not just any Seals, just the Abottabad Raid Seals

If that wasn't true, than how come those are the only ones who are so impressive at the bar?

Response by SPC Eric Tucker made May 18 at 2015 2:03 AM

SPC Eric Tucker — Mon, 18 May 2015 02:03:13 -0400

As an infantryman I call bull shit on that! In my day it took 11 other soldiers to support me doing my job, admin, cooks, etc... We are a team. Without even one we will fail our missions. As long as you raised your right hand and put on the uniform your as "veteranly" as any other!

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 18 at 2015 5:28 AM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 18 May 2015 05:28:45 -0400

Satire or not everyone who raised or raises their hand to serve are part of the less than 1% of society who choose to serve our great country. Currently only 7% of society has served in the Armed forces. All veterans regardless of job or direct combat. The fact is our Armed Forces cannot function without support at home and abroad.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 6:00 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 06:00:04 -0400

BS I say!!! If you served, you are a veteran Period!! Combat personnel could not do their jobs without support personnel!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 18 at 2015 6:53 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 18 May 2015 06:53:09 -0400

1) You don't choose where Uncle Same sends you.

2) Indirect fire & IED are addressed to "To whom it may concern"

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 7:57 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 07:57:06 -0400

According to the Veteran's Administration there are two types of Veterans.

Veterans and Combat Veterans. Both are vital to completing the mission.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 7:55 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 07:55:58 -0400

My response to this.....well...the person saying it, for their sake, had better outrank me. Nonetheless, they'll still get their feelings hurt.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 8:02 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 08:02:41 -0400

This has been discussed several times in several topics.

You volunteered to serve in the military. You have made E-6 so I assume you have done your job fairly well.

We do not get to pick our assignments in the military, we do the job that is assigned to us.

Active serve makes you a vet. Yes, there are combat vets. There are Vietnam vets, etc. etc.

In my opinion, and I was support for all of my career, only you can determine the value you gave. The opinions of others should not matter. And the opinions of someone who never served is worthless.

Response by SGT David T. made May 18 at 2015 8:18 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 18 May 2015 08:18:23 -0400

This is a common misconception that the non-military affiliate public has. I have served as an Infantryman as well as a support soldier. Honestly, I was shot at more driving a fuel truck than I ever was as a grunt. Usually, when something like this comes up I have to explain that the asymmetrical operating environment differs significantly from the popular conception of "front lines" like they see in the movies. Once I do that, they usually change their tune.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 9:23 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 09:23:33 -0400

Coast Guard also has issues as "veterans" especially Coast Guard Auxiliary...who do not qualify for USAA insurance....

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 9:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 09:52:00 -0400

people who say that need a flick thump to the forehead

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 18 at 2015 9:59 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Mon, 18 May 2015 09:59:26 -0400

Well if that's the case, I good 80% of the military aren't veterans as most of us don't really serve in combat roles. I'm not sure what the actual percentage is.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 18 at 2015 10:01 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:01:28 -0400

I would have laughed and walked away before I gave them a knife hand to the throat.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 10:12 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:12:26 -0400

If they haven't served, then their opinion on the matter means nada to me.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made May 18 at 2015 10:15 AM

SGT Rick Ash — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:15:16 -0400

Support personnel and even REMF's are veterans too. Should be no question about it....

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 10:26 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:26:19 -0400

My roll was combat support. Let that f$&*ktard say that to me, I have a right hook to answer him.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 10:28 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:28:33 -0400

There is no direct combat role without the support roles! Ignorance at its finest.

Response by Matthew Torrelli made May 18 at 2015 10:37 AM

Matthew Torrelli — Mon, 18 May 2015 10:37:55 -0400

I am a former Army Mechanic and I worked in a Forward Support Company that was Assigned to the 2/506th Infantry Battalion out of Ft. Campbell, ky. We worked along side the Infantry and I think that person fell of the stupid tree and got punched in the face.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 12:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 May 2015 12:15:01 -0400

You got your answer when you said the other person "never served." - we all signed up, depending on gt scores we chose our jobs. You signed the line. That other person has no room to talk. I had a friend once ask me "if I was going to make the 'reserves' a career." Like it was nothing at all or a bad thing. Almost 15 years later and I would do it all again.

Response by PO3 Anne Moyer made Nov 10 at 2023 8:24 PM

PO3 Anne Moyer — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 20:24:16 -0500

What can you expect from those who have not served and are not military related.