How many days of "actual combat" do you think an Infantryman deployed in support of OIF/OEF experiences over a year-long deployment?

I don't think infantrymen have done anything average in the last 14 yrs. our missions and operations as Infantrymen have changed so drastically and expanded to such an expanse of rolls that it would be unfair to affix an average to combat time experienced. That's completely ignoring the definition of combat that people and the Army seems to be confused about these days.

There are many factors to consider in order yo.answer that question. It has been said By a GO that one year of deployment could equal to 7 years of Military experience. Not sure how that's broken down but I trust the source who told me being a 2 star. So there must be a average calculating process/ Formular out there.

It's tough to really determine, because so many joes are in areas that aren't hit as much, which would bring down an average.
If you take into consideration every event that is worthy of a CIB, over a year-long deployment, that would probably narrow it down.
This would have to be scientific in nature. Any part of a scientific paper includes a methods section, so this is very important, and the reason for everybody's input on this.

I'll bite, though. Based on my standards of combat (CIB-worthy incident), I've been involved in about 20 over a one-year deployment. This includes accurate, inside-the-wire IDF, that landed very near my cot (2 occasions). The rest were an assortment of tower guard engagements on a crew-served gun, mounted and dismounted TIC's, and 1 legitimate IED scare. Every one would permit awarding a CIB.

I guess it all depends on how you define "actual combat". If you never fire your weapon, but you are on a FOB that gets hit by IDF every other day, does that count as being in combat?

I cannot speak for other however my site experienced 114 firefights in just over 3 months.

I am not all sure exactly what kind of answer you want, because it differs so much on what AO you are in and what is going on there at that time. I was in Iraq during the Surge... and 6 months out of that I was in Al Anbar province, not on a FOB but on a few OPs. We saw alot of action, friends more south didn't see that much... but again, depends on the time of year, and what is going on.

Sounds a Bit Rough but nothing would surprise me.

Please keep your comments professional.

As an infantry machine gunner with the First Infantry in Viet Nam who spent the entire year in combat
I would say I was in harms way at least 360 days. I took no R & R or leave of any kind because we were always so short of people.

365

I can tell u this much Sgt Justin Anderson. Everyone experiences combat differently as you can see from the various comments. I was in the sandbox from 04-05 and went on more than 300 missions in some of the most fucked areas and I can tell you I was engaged by the enemy more than 75 percent of the time outside the wire. And if by some miracle I stayed in at the FOB. I could set my watch on the amount of incoming we got. So any of the lucky ones that experienced boredom I don’t hate you bastards. Be glad someone upstairs was looking out for you.

Define the term

365