How many military members actually see combat?

I'm a supply officer and my last deployment I was out on convoys at least 2-3 times a week.

I knew Infantry guys in Vietnam who didn't have to leave their fire base for combat it came to them. I was in the Engineers during my first tour in Vietnam during the 68 Tet offensive again it came to us, also came on the roads we built in the form of hit and run ambushes. My second tour I was a gunner on a gun jeep, and gun truck. We escorted convoys and did security patrols on a stretch of road again we were constantly responding to ambushes. Some weeks every day, some weeks very boring runs. Just like the infantry they alays went for trucks that caused the greatest damage. They went for the drivers of the fuel trucks and the ones hauling the bombs and napalm. There was always the threat of rocket and mortar attacks at the bases when we were there.

Now today there are the same problems whenever you leave your base with the IED's and ambushes, but you can do a whole tour without ever being in a combat situation "as a support" soldier, but not the combat arms soldier.

Wow, how long have you been in and gave definitely never exposed to Joint Commands and never been boots on ground or talked with any Navy troops that train and have been boots on ground, shot at worked in horse combat environment. NECC/NSW units, Seabees, EOD, Costal Riverine, MA's, Intel, SEAL's, SWCC and thier support units. Ask them if they just stay on FOB's, COP's, VSP's, Fier bases or what ever you want to call it. By the way I was in a Task Force in Baghdad, left wire every day, but the FOB also took IDF everyday, so there is no safe place. The best thing you can do is talk to other branch recruiters and compare MOS to Rate, excluding the combat scenario

That is BS..... Infantry, if you see a base or a shower you are lucky... In Vietnam I spent maybe 4 days a month in our base camp, in Germany (2 tours) we were in the field or training bases more than 6 months a year

I think all three can see combat just depends on the type of mission you get into

I was a 72B (com center specialist) for Army Security Agency in 'Nam 1967-68. If you wear a military uniform in a combat zone, you are subject to becoming infantry at any time. In the Army and Marine Corp, you complete basic infantry training which is essentially the same way Washington's troops were trained in 1775. For most troops, I don't think you ever get 'eye ball to eye ball' with the enemy. If you're on a base, the combat death comes from getting injured or blown up by a rocket or mortar round. During TET '68, Tan Son Nhut Airbase was in danger of being overrun by two VC battalions. All personnel were about to become infantry. I was issued an M14 and two magazines. We didn't have bayonets. Fortunately, some units from the 11th ACR Blackhorse managed to get through so we didn't have to go out to the perimeter. Infantry troops told me that it is hours of exhausting, boring patrolling in extreme heat. When the SHTF, its usually an hour of extreme terror.

First, every conflict is different. Most do not experience direct fire with the enemy in most conflicts. However, Truck drivers and others commonly are exposed to IED in the current conflicts and Truck drivers in Vietnam at some stages of that conflict in some areas were involved in direct fire engagements as were MPs and others. Everyone is subject to indirect fire. I would compare it to driving. You are always in some danger from the other guy that may be impaired but we think of it as an acceptable risk. I would never tell anyone in a combat zone they were in a safe job, low risk perhaps but not safe. People that think they are safe often do not take proper precautions which result in death or injury and I can write a list of over a half dozen incidents I am personally familiar with.

I was a combat engineer and and a truck for over 25 years. I have been deployed over 7 times and every time I was outside the wire almost every day.

Just stick with your branch you shouldn't be talking about other branches. When I was a recruiter prospecting and a prospect told me they were interested in another branch, I would walk next door and grab that recruiter and let them try and make an appointment at my desk. Plus in your statement you don't have a clue about other branches and what they do. If you're so desperate and you are bashing or belittling another branch, will make you look unprofessional and desperate.

You do realize that Navy Corpsmen are the Medics for the Marine Corps. More Navy Corpsmen have been awarded the Medal of Honor than any other rate in the Navy! Army Combat medics, even Air Force PJ's will see plenty of action and deal with more blood and guts than most anybody else! Every Corpsman no matter what their specialty is Field Medic first and always! You better be careful or someone might lose your shot record! LOL Never leave the base! OK Sorry, I am old and grumpy now. Thank you for your service!