Posted on Jun 2, 2015
How many military members actually see combat?
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I am a recruiter for the Navy and I constantly have "battles" with people who are interested in the Marine Corps and Army and I tell them that not everyone will see combat and that in fact if you are infantry/medic/truck driver you pretty much don't leave the base you're at. Is that a true statement? I'm not a huge fan at all about being a liar just to get people to join. Just trying to get my facts straight. Thanks
Combat
Recruiter
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 529
Suspended Profile
In my opinion, I'd market the idea of becoming a corpsman. Sure, there's plenty of 18 y/o's who think they wanna go kill people, but I should also think they are old enough to see there are few greater privileges than being given the responsibility and opportunity to save lives. And there's always EOD, SEALs, and SWCCs of course, not that those are easy training pipelines...
Personally, I would think that a person who seems to be looking for an infantry-type role is barking up the wrong tree. But if they seem a bit open-minded, I'd advertise the critical role the Navy plays in our strategic influence and defense. Nothing says "F*** you" like parking a floating military air base off the coast of whatever nation you feel like, and I think working on the deck of a carrier would be a pretty exciting job. Your Ohio-class submarines are the backbone of our Nuclear Triad. The Navy secures the free passage of vessels on myriad shipping lanes around the world, as far as I know, which is a very underappreciated though important role. And which other branch is in a better position to give Somali pirates a run for their lives? I think that if none of those aspects of the Navy excites/interests a potential recruit, then you shouldn't want them in your Navy, IMHO.
Personally, I would think that a person who seems to be looking for an infantry-type role is barking up the wrong tree. But if they seem a bit open-minded, I'd advertise the critical role the Navy plays in our strategic influence and defense. Nothing says "F*** you" like parking a floating military air base off the coast of whatever nation you feel like, and I think working on the deck of a carrier would be a pretty exciting job. Your Ohio-class submarines are the backbone of our Nuclear Triad. The Navy secures the free passage of vessels on myriad shipping lanes around the world, as far as I know, which is a very underappreciated though important role. And which other branch is in a better position to give Somali pirates a run for their lives? I think that if none of those aspects of the Navy excites/interests a potential recruit, then you shouldn't want them in your Navy, IMHO.
SPC David Roberts
I totally agree with this. The Navy does a very important and underappreciated job.
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PO2 David Allender
GOD bless all Corpsman and Medics. Because they go into HARM'S WAY to save the wounded ones.
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SGT David Priode
The Navy is very important to our national needs. Look at what they did for D day, the Pacific in WWII, Inchon in Korea, Riverine forces in Nam, transport/supply and bombing during Desert Storm etc can’t forget The Cuban middle crisis, Panama,Grenada and the current Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Plus throw in all the lifesaving work the navy does from typhoon and hurricane relief the navy is not boring but a great service to serve in. Signed from an old Army Infantry Grunt.
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Not as many as most people think. Even IN THEATER, very few see active ground combat.
Picture it like this, the Army is a Dog. Actual Combat troops are the dog and support troops are the tail. We have a 1 foot dog with a 8 foot tail. Not slamming anyone because we all have a role to play.
General Patton once said that every job was important from the Infantry Commander to the guy that boils the water to wash the pots in the mess hall to keep us from getting the GI Craps.
In this current world, you can have gunfighters tat may not see as much action as a truck mechanic on a convoy, because there are no battle lines, only folks that you can not tell if they are good guys, bad guys or guys standing next to big black trash bags...I mean women.
Picture it like this, the Army is a Dog. Actual Combat troops are the dog and support troops are the tail. We have a 1 foot dog with a 8 foot tail. Not slamming anyone because we all have a role to play.
General Patton once said that every job was important from the Infantry Commander to the guy that boils the water to wash the pots in the mess hall to keep us from getting the GI Craps.
In this current world, you can have gunfighters tat may not see as much action as a truck mechanic on a convoy, because there are no battle lines, only folks that you can not tell if they are good guys, bad guys or guys standing next to big black trash bags...I mean women.
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PO1, as an Infantryman, I was an advisor/ trainer to the Iraqi Army and Iraqi National Police during my 2 deployments. I saw as much combat as the line units that we shared battlespace with. Medics assigned to infantry units see combat, kinda like your corpsmen. 88M's (truck drivers) get ambushed alot. With the fluidity of the current area's of combat, anyone can see combat. Yes, the US Army has a huge logistical tail that never see's combat. In Baghdad, I knew soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who never left the Green Zone or BIAP. The only interactions they had with any Iraqi's were local nationals working on the base or at the Haji shops. But on the other hand we had EWO's from the USN and the USAF who were ambushed with the units they supported. Hell, a USCG member was killed on an Iraqi oil platform with some USN members when the platform was attacked. The chow hall at FOB Marez being suicide bombed killed numerous "non combat MOS's" in a "safe place". So to answer your question, anyone in any service can see combat.
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PO2 David Allender
That has been a growing theme since before Nam Sgt. There is never any news about units sent to train other nations including Veit Nam, so we mostly find out by word of mouth while in country, Those units should have as much respect as any fighting unit in country, What a pity that our NEWS MEDIA never says anything about these units, but then they seem never to really get the whole story today anyway. To me, the NEWS MEDIA of today just are not as concerned with getting the whole news as yesterdays news media folks.
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SSG Joseph VanDyck
Addendum on 02/04/2020, the 75th Ranger Reg't, CAG, DEVGRU and the rest of SOCOM take the pain to the enemy, or as Mat Best says in his book "to shoot them in the face." This is while the normal infantry, artillery or cavalry maintain and occupy the battle space day to day. Think of it this way, we are the police, SOCOM is SWAT and CSI.
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1SG (Join to see)
Animal Mother is a great guy; he just needs someone to throw hand grenades at him for the rest of his life.
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I guess it depends on what you mean by "see combat"? Is it just to be present in a place of danger? Is it to actually engage with the enemy? Or is it to be on the receiving end of an IED or mortar?
If you're talking about an actual engagement with the enemy (two-way battle), the percentage is incredibly low.
As others have mentioned, it also very much depends on the era. In 2006, odds for an infantryman (which is very different than just being in the Army or Marine Corps) to "see combat" was probably significant when deployed. Today, odds are probably far less than 1%, given that the Army and Marine Corps main land forces are not conducting major offensive operations... as of 2015.
If you're talking about an actual engagement with the enemy (two-way battle), the percentage is incredibly low.
As others have mentioned, it also very much depends on the era. In 2006, odds for an infantryman (which is very different than just being in the Army or Marine Corps) to "see combat" was probably significant when deployed. Today, odds are probably far less than 1%, given that the Army and Marine Corps main land forces are not conducting major offensive operations... as of 2015.
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PO2 David Allender
Now I understand what I read about 6-8 weeks ago wren a leader of AL Gauida said that they have control of much more territory than before America sent in their troops. Out troops are not fighting any more in either Iraq or afghan? Why then, are ore our troops over there? I know that they can not leave until ordered from higher up to leave from both countries.
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SSG(P) Danielle Birtha
PO2 David Allender - you really don't want to know the answer to that question... THEY really don't want you to now the answer to that question.
Remember who attacked U.S. on 9/11/2001?
--> 19 SAUDI ARABIAN TERRORISTS.
And what was our (U.S.) response to their attack?
We attacked their enemies, and now protect them from their enemies, as they kill U.S. here in the U.S. at pilot school for slights against their God, as they learn to use our aircraft to kill U.S. for being infidels.
Iraq? lol... as all know, Iraq has no taste for a fight, preferring to run, with hands raised, then to dodge or eat bullets.
Syria? lol... Belongs to Saudi... it's their vacation destination for the wealthy Kings, and the training grounds for every terrorist organization... all paid for by those Kings.
The rest of the Mid East... caught between Iran and Saudi... our true enemies.
So... why are we protecting them?
To protect the assets of another, age old enemy, who has attacked U.S. in the U.S., FIVE TIMES, and been repelled with military force... who now have the permission of our Congress, Governors, and even the people, as they vote for these traitors... to soil our soil with their oil... as they gouge U.S. ... BY LAW...
British Petroleum Oil...
OUR Lives... the cost of War... to protect the Enemies of the U.S. ...
By Law?
You're NOT protecting freedom and democracy, of we the people of the U.S. ... or anyone else...
Your protecting the rich criminals and religious zealots of Islam, Britain, and the U.S.... who want to cut of your heads for daring to be in their countries.
While your friends, families, and country are under attack by our Public Servants... as they lead the Central, South, and Mexican American Invaders into our Nation, to vote for the Incumbent, with gifts of our taxes, our jobs, our homes... and allow criminals to take over cities, attack police and citizen alike, as they wish... aided by legal immigrants from the Mid East who are in public servant office, using their power to overthrow our government, and command lawlessness... Criminal Law, is the Law of the Criminals now... while you fight to protect the enemies of the U.S. ... your country is being destroyed from within...
--> as they legislate that China, may have our prosperous Manufacturing...
Remember the Impeachment? "China is the Enemy... No One is above the Law"?
--> except for the Public Servant Law Makers, who have been in office so long they feel they have the right to Trade, Give, and Sell, we the people, to our enemies, IN RETURN FOR RE-ELECTION FUNDS TO PAY THE ILLEGAL INVADERS TO VOTE FOR THE TRAITORS... as they adhere to Putin, Xi Jin Ping, Kim Jung Un, and the Queens and Kings of the World.
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA STOPPED BOWING TO CROWNS ON JULY 4TH, 1776!!!!
But now... WE BOW BY LAW >(
--> ... while 140 million U.S. employable heads of households ask the Welfare Departments of this Nation for food stamps to feed their families, who are stacked 3 generations high in single family homes... and the 30 million are losing their jobs to our enemies, right now, as the jobs of the stay at home order go to the Invaders... and will be homeless soon... BY LAW.
You already know this.
According to the Constitution, and U.S. Law:
--> U.S. Code › Title 18 › Part I › Chapter 115 › § 2381 TREASON: "Whoever, OWING ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES, levies war against them OR ADHERES TO THEIR ENEMIES, giving them AID AND COMFORT WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEWHERE, IS GUILTY OF TREASON AND SHALL SUFFER DEATH, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States."
You already know this.
Your next question should be for your Representatives and Senators: "Why are you asking U.S. to re-elect you, when you should be hanging from a noose for your treasonous aid and comfort to our enemies, here within the U.S., and in their countries?"
The next question is for you to ask yourself: "Why am I voting for people who are sworn to protect me and mine, and our way of life... when they are helping the criminals of the world to take away our livelihoods, prosperity, and even lives... BY LAW?"
If this disturbs you... tell your family... tell your friends... tell everyone you know...
READ the Constitution of the U.S. ...
SEE what you are fighting for.
UNDERSTAND whom it is you are supposed to be protecting.
UNDERSTAND... the U.S. you left, is NOT the U.S. you will come back to.
July 4th? Independence Day?
While we now depend on China, Japan, Russia, Japan, Britain, the Mid-East, and the Southern Invaders, FOR ALL OUR NEEDS... BY LAW????
Want your Country back?
STOP VOTING FOR THE TRAITORS WHO ARE USING THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE POWER TO LEGISLATE IN FAVOR OF OUR ENEMIES... AND AGAINST U.S.!!!!
VOTE FOR U.S. --> NOT OUR ENEMIES!
Come Home soon... you shouldn't be there at all.
Final Word: General Mattis... SHAME ON YOU FOR TURNING YOUR BACK ON U.S.>(
GOT OFF YOUR #$$ AND GET THE VETERANS MOVING TO PROTECT THIS NATION FROM OUR ENEMIES!!!
DUTY - HONOR - COUNTRY
Remember who attacked U.S. on 9/11/2001?
--> 19 SAUDI ARABIAN TERRORISTS.
And what was our (U.S.) response to their attack?
We attacked their enemies, and now protect them from their enemies, as they kill U.S. here in the U.S. at pilot school for slights against their God, as they learn to use our aircraft to kill U.S. for being infidels.
Iraq? lol... as all know, Iraq has no taste for a fight, preferring to run, with hands raised, then to dodge or eat bullets.
Syria? lol... Belongs to Saudi... it's their vacation destination for the wealthy Kings, and the training grounds for every terrorist organization... all paid for by those Kings.
The rest of the Mid East... caught between Iran and Saudi... our true enemies.
So... why are we protecting them?
To protect the assets of another, age old enemy, who has attacked U.S. in the U.S., FIVE TIMES, and been repelled with military force... who now have the permission of our Congress, Governors, and even the people, as they vote for these traitors... to soil our soil with their oil... as they gouge U.S. ... BY LAW...
British Petroleum Oil...
OUR Lives... the cost of War... to protect the Enemies of the U.S. ...
By Law?
You're NOT protecting freedom and democracy, of we the people of the U.S. ... or anyone else...
Your protecting the rich criminals and religious zealots of Islam, Britain, and the U.S.... who want to cut of your heads for daring to be in their countries.
While your friends, families, and country are under attack by our Public Servants... as they lead the Central, South, and Mexican American Invaders into our Nation, to vote for the Incumbent, with gifts of our taxes, our jobs, our homes... and allow criminals to take over cities, attack police and citizen alike, as they wish... aided by legal immigrants from the Mid East who are in public servant office, using their power to overthrow our government, and command lawlessness... Criminal Law, is the Law of the Criminals now... while you fight to protect the enemies of the U.S. ... your country is being destroyed from within...
--> as they legislate that China, may have our prosperous Manufacturing...
Remember the Impeachment? "China is the Enemy... No One is above the Law"?
--> except for the Public Servant Law Makers, who have been in office so long they feel they have the right to Trade, Give, and Sell, we the people, to our enemies, IN RETURN FOR RE-ELECTION FUNDS TO PAY THE ILLEGAL INVADERS TO VOTE FOR THE TRAITORS... as they adhere to Putin, Xi Jin Ping, Kim Jung Un, and the Queens and Kings of the World.
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA STOPPED BOWING TO CROWNS ON JULY 4TH, 1776!!!!
But now... WE BOW BY LAW >(
--> ... while 140 million U.S. employable heads of households ask the Welfare Departments of this Nation for food stamps to feed their families, who are stacked 3 generations high in single family homes... and the 30 million are losing their jobs to our enemies, right now, as the jobs of the stay at home order go to the Invaders... and will be homeless soon... BY LAW.
You already know this.
According to the Constitution, and U.S. Law:
--> U.S. Code › Title 18 › Part I › Chapter 115 › § 2381 TREASON: "Whoever, OWING ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES, levies war against them OR ADHERES TO THEIR ENEMIES, giving them AID AND COMFORT WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEWHERE, IS GUILTY OF TREASON AND SHALL SUFFER DEATH, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States."
You already know this.
Your next question should be for your Representatives and Senators: "Why are you asking U.S. to re-elect you, when you should be hanging from a noose for your treasonous aid and comfort to our enemies, here within the U.S., and in their countries?"
The next question is for you to ask yourself: "Why am I voting for people who are sworn to protect me and mine, and our way of life... when they are helping the criminals of the world to take away our livelihoods, prosperity, and even lives... BY LAW?"
If this disturbs you... tell your family... tell your friends... tell everyone you know...
READ the Constitution of the U.S. ...
SEE what you are fighting for.
UNDERSTAND whom it is you are supposed to be protecting.
UNDERSTAND... the U.S. you left, is NOT the U.S. you will come back to.
July 4th? Independence Day?
While we now depend on China, Japan, Russia, Japan, Britain, the Mid-East, and the Southern Invaders, FOR ALL OUR NEEDS... BY LAW????
Want your Country back?
STOP VOTING FOR THE TRAITORS WHO ARE USING THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE POWER TO LEGISLATE IN FAVOR OF OUR ENEMIES... AND AGAINST U.S.!!!!
VOTE FOR U.S. --> NOT OUR ENEMIES!
Come Home soon... you shouldn't be there at all.
Final Word: General Mattis... SHAME ON YOU FOR TURNING YOUR BACK ON U.S.>(
GOT OFF YOUR #$$ AND GET THE VETERANS MOVING TO PROTECT THIS NATION FROM OUR ENEMIES!!!
DUTY - HONOR - COUNTRY
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This represents team! As I shared in my rely to SPC Allbright's comments, you don't have to add "...that in fact if you are infantry/medic/truck driver you pretty much don't leave the base you're at..." to the sentence "... I tell them that not everyone will see combat ..." is all you need to say!
Again, please read my comments under my response to SPC Allbright's initial comment. Don't ever LIE!!! The "FACTS" are simple! Were the sailors on the USS Cole or USS Iowa in direct combat operations when they died? So tell, those that waste time arguing army, navy, marines, etc. that people die from all branches and sometimes it is during training. So please remind them those that argue (Have "Battles") they are wasting time!
What they need to be is "Prepared" to survive and work to bring themselves and their buddies home when they do experience combat. That is the bottom line.
Again, please read my comments under my response to SPC Allbright's initial comment. Don't ever LIE!!! The "FACTS" are simple! Were the sailors on the USS Cole or USS Iowa in direct combat operations when they died? So tell, those that waste time arguing army, navy, marines, etc. that people die from all branches and sometimes it is during training. So please remind them those that argue (Have "Battles") they are wasting time!
What they need to be is "Prepared" to survive and work to bring themselves and their buddies home when they do experience combat. That is the bottom line.
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For anyone you recruit that goes Corpsman, you can tell them that we serve with Marines (Division, Marine Logistics Group, Air Wing, and MEF), SeaBee's, MARSOC, SEALs, SWCC, EOD, and augmentee to the Army so plenty of boots on the ground. Although MARSOC and SEALs are NEC (Navy for MOS) specific, serving with the other elements is not necessarily restricted to 8404/0000 (Field Medical Technician/General Duty Corpsman), my last deployment was with 3/5 and we had several augmentee's that were primarily x-ray tech's, surgical tech's, etc. (84XX/8404 types).
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I would generally agree, and as for me I would have been happy not seeing any combat since it seems that I received more combat than I gave
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Interestinfly, it is a fact that during World War II the average Infantry Soldier in the Pacific spent 40 hours in combat in 4 years and in Vietnam they spent 240 hours in combat in one year.
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I recently saw some figures on combat experience in 'Nam. Out of the large number that served only about 20,000 actually experienced combat. Many more were shot at but did not or could not respond because of their MOS.
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PO3 Jose Heinert
How can it be that "only about 20,000 actually experienced combat" when 58000 were killed? Your statistic can't possibly be correct.
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PO2 Steven Henry
Well actually some 30,000 were killed in accidents or friendly fire (which is not in anyway friendly).
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