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 10 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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CPT Brent Ferguson, I served in the Air Force shortly prior to the start of the Gulf War '90-93. I was not deployed but supported the mission as a Substance Specialist. I now work for the VA CBO health resources. Now, in my view, the category veterans are listed due to how they justify giving us benefits. It seems the VA compartmentalize veterans in era's of war when establishing benefit eligibility.
Fact, you and your wife served during wartime. No matter how you look at it that is a true reality. In addition, being deployable is important to recognize.
I think you should buy that hat, shirt, license plate, bumper sticker, join VFW and be proud of your faimily sacrifice.
Fact, you and your wife served during wartime. No matter how you look at it that is a true reality. In addition, being deployable is important to recognize.
I think you should buy that hat, shirt, license plate, bumper sticker, join VFW and be proud of your faimily sacrifice.
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SSG Audwin Scott
Of course we know that anyone that actually was in theatre wears a combat patch, this should answer the question...
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It's all your rack; if you've earned the campaign ribbon, then your a veteran of that campaign, but nothing more. If all you earned was a Nat'l Def medal w/o a campaign medal, then your a Desert Storm era veteran.
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I just call myself a Soldier sir. I don't feel a need to apply a label to myself based on where I've gone and where I haven't gone and before you ask, yes, I've been deployed/mobilized several times.
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SSG Buddy Kemper
OUTSTANDING!!!! No finer title in the world, CSM (Join to see) !!!!! I've always been proud to have been a soldier!!!! Thanks for your service!!
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I just check all of the above. Did this on and off since 1987. Haven't missed a war yet.
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Thanks for your service but if you didn't go, you're not a Desert Storm or Iraqi Freedom Vet, in my opinion. Just as I'm not an Afghanistan Vet, even though I served during the entire time we've been there, I didn't go. Only got to go to ODS and later OIF. Be proud of everything you did, it's more than most Americans.
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If you served during DESERT SHIELD/STORM then you are Veteran of that Campaign. Be proud that you served during that period because we kicked ass, took names and won. Even if you was not boots on the ground your role of support is what helped us win that war.
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SSG Norbert Johnson
If you consider yourself to only be a War Veteran based upon a medal of distinction that was awarded at that time, please look to the NDSM as your banner of acknowledgement as a War Time Vet. If you were Mobilized from a Reserve Status in Support of DS/DS then take solace in your Designation of Mobilization on your Armed Forces Reserve Medal. It is a designation of Mobilization but not Deployment. However, you were pulled from the Civilian Sector (sacrifice) and prepared for whatever MOS/AFSC etc you held, for full deployment if the Command directed. Not all Reservists or National Guardsmen were awarded the Mobilization Device during the period of Aug 1990 - the present. Therefore, there is a badge of distinction that you have that should validate to you, your service as a War Veteran of the Gulf War. Those who were in the Reserves/National Guard that were never Mobilized or Deployed, individually or severally, are War Era Veterans. Any way you look at it, we were all subject to Deployment throughout that era (and continuing). Therefore, be proud that you served in any capacity because every capacity is vital to the success or failure in any war effort.
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SSG Norbert Johnson
LCpl Saipan Sam - Was you in the Reserves at the time? Did you serve under orders while in theater. If not, then no. If you was a DOD Contractor, there is a civilian award for that service in a War Zone. Contact Personnel and request a review of Civilian record for an official award. For that purpose, there exists a Defense of Freedom Award for DOD Contractors. Now if you was in the IRR at the time of the service performed with a DOD Contractor, and you did not serve on Active Duty, You are NOT a War Time Veteran as the service must be performed on Active Duty, and if I remember right, NOT for Training Purposes. SO I suggest you check it out.
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The military calls me a Desert Storm vet, because we were in BENOs in the Persian Gulf on the USS Saipan LHA-2 after the ground offensive wrapped up. They awarded us the SWA. Usually when asked, I just say I was there after the ground operations. Although I qualify for the Desert Storm plates in TX based on my DD214, I just get the Marine Corps plates.
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MAJ Alvin B.
The Persian Gulf War (Aug. 2, 1990 and Nov. 30, 1995), includes three Campaigns. Everyone remembers the first two, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. However, because the media moved on after the so-called "100 Hour War," the third Campaign, the Cease Fire, is often forgotten.
Southwest Asia Service Medal: This award, authorized by Executive Order 12754, March 12, 1991, is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who served in support of Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm between Aug. 2, 1990 and Nov. 30, 1995 in one or more of the following areas: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees east longitude, and the land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates; or individuals serving in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including territorial airspace and waters) directly supporting combat operations between Jan. 17, 1991 and Nov. 30, 1995.
Criteria
Refer to DoD 1348.33-M for specific individual eligibility requirements. This award came with three distinct campaign periods:
- Defense of Saudi Arabia, 2 August 1990 - 16 January 1991
- Liberation and Defense of Kuwait, 17 January 1991 - 11 April 1991, and
- Southwest Asia Cease Fire Campaign, 12 April 1991 to 30 November 1995.
A bronze service star is worn for participation in each respective campaign period.
Authorized Device: Service Star
Southwest Asia Service Medal: This award, authorized by Executive Order 12754, March 12, 1991, is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who served in support of Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm between Aug. 2, 1990 and Nov. 30, 1995 in one or more of the following areas: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees east longitude, and the land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates; or individuals serving in Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Jordan (including territorial airspace and waters) directly supporting combat operations between Jan. 17, 1991 and Nov. 30, 1995.
Criteria
Refer to DoD 1348.33-M for specific individual eligibility requirements. This award came with three distinct campaign periods:
- Defense of Saudi Arabia, 2 August 1990 - 16 January 1991
- Liberation and Defense of Kuwait, 17 January 1991 - 11 April 1991, and
- Southwest Asia Cease Fire Campaign, 12 April 1991 to 30 November 1995.
A bronze service star is worn for participation in each respective campaign period.
Authorized Device: Service Star
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