I served for 8 years and I never deployed. I don't feel like I earn the credit of veteran. Does anyone else feel that way?

I have a friend who is a gunny. she has been in 19 years and just finished her first deployment last year. It wasn't like she avoided them, her MOS never deploys. and if they do, it is usually senior snco's only. So long as you didnt hide behind bushes when they needed people to deploy, you did your job as expected.
BTW, a veteran is someone who served in the armed forces.

You had the potential to deploy and even die for your country. Not only did you sign up, but you stayed in for 8 years.
Heck, CSM King was the TRADOC SGM and she never deployed in 30 years. (Ok, bad example, she was a turd....)

So I have re-evaluated my opinion of the SGM. She could have deployed just like the rest of us so she does deserve as much credit as those that did deploy. The Army saw fit to have her instead train our recruits and later to lead those that train our recruits. My only beef is the college degrees that were later considered not valid which can be part of the reason why she was promoted.

Don't feel bad, the military is a game of chance.

You ARE a veteran period! Being deployed or not has nothing to do with your veteran status. Look, I spent the majority of my career in the Strategic Air Command and a good portion of SAC people never deployed in their entire 20 year career. I did deploy due to my B-52 flight crew status but that didn't make me think any less of those who didn't; actually considered them lucky at times. Have seen a lot of questions of a similar vein on RP lately and don't understand. Can't people on active duty these days grasp the concept that it takes a team to conduct military operations and not everyone is going to be put on the field?

The flip side of this was a PFC who was deployed for OEF 1, earned his CIB and wanted out for his knee pain. Said he had no further goal or purpose. What he didn't see is using his experience and leadership to mentor and influence the machine. Don't overlook your contribution.

One does not control one's assignments in the military.

If you served honorably, did the job(s) you were assigned, and did not do things to avoid deployment, you are a vet and, even though you may feel you should have been deployed, you have no reason to feel less because that didn't happen.

You are not alone. Others have been in your shoes over the years. I am reminded of a man I met years ago who wanted to serve anywhere. In the Pacific or European Theaters. The Army sent him to Panama where he sat out WW ll in a weather station. However, he understood you serve wherever the Army sends you.

Here are a couple of things to consider. Your MOS being one. If it is a critical MOS or if the Army is short people in your MOS the Army may send you where you are needed most. You can request a change in duty stations. See if you can trade stations with someone who has the same MOS. Assuming this policy is still in effect.

No matter what may happen you will always be a Veteran and a credit to the uniform you wear.
Because you were not deployed does not take anything away from who you are. I, and others, are proud of you wanting to deploy and maybe feeling like you need to make a larger contribution. You are contributing as a volunteer and that makes you a special person.

I can recall people running to Canada, dodging their responsibility as an America and hiding in schools to avoid serving. These people are not good enough to wear you boots or walk in your shadow. You deserve all credit due.

I have felt the same when I came out the Army in 1991. Another veteran reassured me that as long as I made it through the training and I was assigned a post and completed a tour of duty and wasn't given a BCD, I am considered a veteran. Mind you, I served during a war but wasn't in combat. There is no comparison between veterans when it comes to service, whether you were sent to war or not. So take from me whom has been there in your shoes: As long as you served and wasn't given a BCD, you, just like the rest of us, have earn the right to be called a veteran. So don't ever be ashamed of your service to this country! You are one of us!

You should not feel that way. The day you enlisted you signed a contract up to and including your life. We all serve the needs of the service.

We are all equal Veterans. It takes EVERYONE to move the machine. The stats I heard is it takes at least 7 or 8 MOSs to support the Infantryman on the ground, maybe more now due to tech advancements in the field. Bless your heart if you have never seen the rigors of combat. Some in combat zones never lifted a trigger finger, and maybe you worked hard to serve. We are all equally important. Have you helped a Veteran today?