Posted on Aug 18, 2016
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Posted in these groups: 
Deployment
My Veteran Community
Deployment My Veteran Community
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 105
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How interesting I find the responses. I've actually learned something by reading them. Years ago, I tried to join the VFW under my father's service and was denied because he was never deployed. I was told he wasn't a veteran. I've always wondered why. I've always felt he was because of the same reasons y'all have stated. Perhaps I will try again. Thanks.
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TSgt Robert Wade
Sgt (Join to see) - I was born in 66, so that was before my age eligibility to serve by just a few years. But I did serve from 85-2009 and I was deployed for DS/DS in 90/91 and then I did a year remote in Korea in 2005-06. I also did 5 deployments to Qatar (Al udeid ABS) from 05-09. I was a B-52 Crew Chief for 20 years and a KC-135 Crew Chief for my last 4. Keep in mind I am retired A.F. so I didn't carry an M-16 all that often, but I did get marksman qualification several times before they lowered the qualifications for it. I just checked the VFW page and they want $45 a year or $375 for the lifetime fee. I am sure they also hit you up a lot for donations.
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SGT Beau Thomas
You might try joining the auxiliary of the American Legion. Very similar organizations with similar goals. A Campaign Ribbon is required to join the VFW with a few exceptions.
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SSG James Swarr
VFW stands for Veterans of Foreign Wars....Wars being the key word. It is not a slam on those that did not deploy but just a designation of those that did...the American Legion is made up of many that did not serve in combat, the Legions commander did not serve in combat.
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Yes, I do. I have been in the Army for almost 5 years come October and I feel that my time was less spent than those who had deployed. I actually talk to my Husband about this constantly and how I should respond when someone thanks me for my service considering, I do not feel that I have served any cause.
Yes, we all signed the same contract and enlist under the same oath however, those who have deployed have earned and fought for the right to be admired and thanked.
Yes, we all signed the same contract and enlist under the same oath however, those who have deployed have earned and fought for the right to be admired and thanked.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
You need to take a huge self respect pill! Every day you have spent in the Army at an operational unit has been so that your unit can perform its mission. Whatever that mission may be, your work performance has been a vital piece of the puzzle. Where you do that work is meaningless in the big picture of things. You must get it through your head that you certainly haven't been wasting your time.
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Sgt (Join to see)
SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds Everyone serving supports the overall mission whether you deploy or not. You are serving the cause of protecting our country. You deserve to be thanked for your service as much as anyone. I personally admire active duty and veteran women. I served when dinosaurs were roaming the earth, so, I did not have the opportunity to work with women. During my civilian career, I worked with active duty and veteran women. They were all top notch. I salute you for your service!
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SSG Jacey R.
SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds of course you deserve it as much as those of us that did deploy. Your service was not any less worthy than another. Someone that stayed back to help families of deployed soldiers are needed just as much, or another soldier that was home base guarding a gate it just as important as a soldier doing the same time deployed. You should still feel proud, you did what most Americans won't, you are serving.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
The best thing to say to people when they thank you is "my pleasure" .. My husb taught me that. As a reservist I haven't deployed either and when in uniform I always felt awkward just saying thanks... So be greatful people recognize you are serving ... They don't care if you have deployed or not. They are thanking you for what you are doing .. Serving our country !
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You gave up 8 years of your life in defense of this Country ..yes you are a Veteran ...that is why I’m glad to see more of the use of the words Combat Veteran because they deserve more thanks than the rest of us who served (USN 68-72) but all deserve some thanks !
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So basically what you are saying is that 95% of the "vets" that served this country between 1974 and 1990 are not vets? there were no wars, therefore there were very few deployments, therefore there were very few vets with the exception of Grenada and Panama. Sorry but anyone who raised the right hand and swore an oath to defend this great nation from its enemies, and then served in that capacity has the right to call themselves a veteran, whether you like it or not. Sorry to burst your bubble.
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You put the uniform on, trained for combat action, and damn well did not run for the border to avoid serving. You are as much a veteran as any who actually saw combat. I salute you.
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I spent 5 yrs and 9 mos in the US Army. I was stateside for 4 years and in West Germany for 1 year 9 mos. I was never deployed to a combat zone because at the time there were no combat zones. I was there and ready if needed. I consider myself an Army veteran.
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IT DOES NOT MATTER...YOU STILL SIGNED THE BLANK CHECK UN LIKE SO MANY OTHERS...YOU ARE A VET...DON'T FORGET IT AND DON'T REGRET IT...
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U.S. Army motivational video, circa 1980
PFC Don Jenks Here, this is for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRYg70HHkQs
You stood up and signed the line like so many of is did and so many, many, many more wouldn't do. Just because you didn't deploy doesn't mean you're not a vet. INDEED YOU ARE.
You stood up and signed the line like so many of is did and so many, many, many more wouldn't do. Just because you didn't deploy doesn't mean you're not a vet. INDEED YOU ARE.
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TSgt Pamela Hoelscher
Even though I was Air Force and not allowed in combat during my years, I believe this video also applies to me.
In the Audio/Visual world, we saw everything photographed and filed.
We have a wall to honor those of us who died, too. I am proud to have served along some who lived and some who died.
I signed up to serve and give the ultimate price, as we all do.
Let anyone say I'm not a veteran, and they will be looking for the piece of ass I chewed off of them.
In the Audio/Visual world, we saw everything photographed and filed.
We have a wall to honor those of us who died, too. I am proud to have served along some who lived and some who died.
I signed up to serve and give the ultimate price, as we all do.
Let anyone say I'm not a veteran, and they will be looking for the piece of ass I chewed off of them.
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There was a day and age when that was the boundary line. You served in war, you were a veteran. You served at home, you were a former service member. Today, everyone is a veteran. Even this site does not differentiate between those who served in combat and those who did or have not.
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SCPO (Join to see)
Show me one place on RP where it distinguishes between a combat veteran and a service member.
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