Posted on Oct 22, 2015
Do you call yourself a Desert Shield, Storm, or Iraqi Freedom Vet? If you didn't serve in the theatre of operations, are you really?
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The VA calls me a Desert Storm vet.
I never got sand in my boots.
I treated a lot of GSW, burns, broken bones, and torn flesh - sometimes as many as 50 different patients a day. Infrequently more than that. Yes, I served my combat role. Yes, I was deploy-able - and doing everything I could to make myself more useful to the Army should they chose me to go. (*Air Assault, EFMB, a bunch of other combat related training)
This was true of a lot of support personnel, my veteran wife included.
We worked some long hours, went home and watched CNN 24 hour coverage of the WAR, then went back to work.
We watched our friends and loved ones go, and we prayed they'd come back.
We tried to join them, we never knew when (or if) it would be our turn to deploy.
Bottom line, they got us ready to go several times, but just didn't need us there. You know, needs of the Army...
I waited 23 years to address service injuries with the VA system because I felt like those who were wounded in action deserved to be treated before me.
No joke, 23 years. CS exposure? yep. DEET and Pyr. Bromide? yep. ALL the vaccines prior to deployment? yep - wife even had those while in her first trimester. A few broken bones and a little torn flesh while performing our military roles? we did that too.
Yet, we still feel guilty calling ourselves Desert Storm Vets.
What do you think? Should we? Should someone who deployed but never saw combat, or are they just a veteran who was in country for Desert Storm?
Or should I just buy my wife and myself that damned hat?
I never got sand in my boots.
I treated a lot of GSW, burns, broken bones, and torn flesh - sometimes as many as 50 different patients a day. Infrequently more than that. Yes, I served my combat role. Yes, I was deploy-able - and doing everything I could to make myself more useful to the Army should they chose me to go. (*Air Assault, EFMB, a bunch of other combat related training)
This was true of a lot of support personnel, my veteran wife included.
We worked some long hours, went home and watched CNN 24 hour coverage of the WAR, then went back to work.
We watched our friends and loved ones go, and we prayed they'd come back.
We tried to join them, we never knew when (or if) it would be our turn to deploy.
Bottom line, they got us ready to go several times, but just didn't need us there. You know, needs of the Army...
I waited 23 years to address service injuries with the VA system because I felt like those who were wounded in action deserved to be treated before me.
No joke, 23 years. CS exposure? yep. DEET and Pyr. Bromide? yep. ALL the vaccines prior to deployment? yep - wife even had those while in her first trimester. A few broken bones and a little torn flesh while performing our military roles? we did that too.
Yet, we still feel guilty calling ourselves Desert Storm Vets.
What do you think? Should we? Should someone who deployed but never saw combat, or are they just a veteran who was in country for Desert Storm?
Or should I just buy my wife and myself that damned hat?
Posted in these groups: 
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Stolen Valor
Operation Desert Shield/Storm Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Stolen Valor
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 38
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For every set of boots on the ground it takes 6-7 support to make their job possible. Everyone has a role and you served yours. You did the role the Army called you to do, so yes, you are.
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CPT Brent Ferguson
I call myself a "Desert Storm era" veteran as I do have the Southwest Asia Service medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait even though I was still in high school when actual combat was occurring. I was in theater (though not boots on ground) while the cease fire was in effect.
I also call myself an OIF veteran because I did deploy in support of it. However, I was on a ship and not boots on ground so I don't qualify for the Iraqi Campaign Medal.
I call myself a "Desert Storm era" veteran as I do have the Southwest Asia Service medal and Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait even though I was still in high school when actual combat was occurring. I was in theater (though not boots on ground) while the cease fire was in effect.
I also call myself an OIF veteran because I did deploy in support of it. However, I was on a ship and not boots on ground so I don't qualify for the Iraqi Campaign Medal.
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SFC Paul Tramp
I'm in a similar boat. I spent Desert Shield/Storm in Germany, deployed to Kuwait, boots on the ground for Operation Positive Force II Aug-Dec 91. I wear SWA service medal and KLM (Kuwait) and feel funny being called a "Desert Storm" vet. (My conflict not my op)
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SSG Mark Ledford
I SERVED IN OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT THAT WAS A HUMANITARIAN OPERATION IN THE NORTHERN NO-FLY ZONE. IN 1995. I RECEIVED THE SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVIVE MEDAL. WITH CAMPAIGN BRONZE STAR. MAY THIS WILL HELP. GOOD LUCK
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Everyone must be labeled. The VA has to pigeon hole you. Brother, you are what you are. Thank you for your difficult tour. God bless.
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