I’m going to Kuwait in December for 9 months. Is that a deployment? Do I get ribbons or a patch? And if not, why?

No. Kuwait is no longer an IDP location. It is identified as a CZTE location only (meaning your pay is tax free). The SSI-FWTS is authorized only if you are serving in support of an approved operation in an IDP location. IDP locations are identified in the DODFMR Volume 7a. Kuwait stopped being an IDP location 01 Jan 15.

Depending are what base you get Kuwait is like being back in the states or say Germany. You can go off post when allowed, if Arifjan most of the barracks are brick, paved streets, back in 2014 it had two mess halls running, several shops etc, good internet. Camp Virginia was mostly modular buildings and dustier, internet was still good. Our mission we sent troops into Iraq for a few days to help set up a fuel point for drones, outside of that is was a regular 8 hour duty day. Space was getting cramped due to the influx of new bodies, the war on ISIS was ramping up back then,

Why don't you wait till after you time there, and see what they award you with, cause you damn well can't wear it till you recieve it.