What constitutes a "combat veteran" versus a veteran who deployed?

2023-09-15T18:33:53-04:00

Am I a "combat veteran" if I went to Iraq during OIF (in any of its parts) but was not directly involved in a confrontation? I believe I read somewhere that even receiving hazardous-duty pay (i.e., for deploying to a combat zone) constitutes a "combat veteran" but I want to make sure that is in fact the case.

Response by 1SG Russell S. made Sep 15 at 2023 6:44 PM

2023-09-15T18:44:17-04:00

You made the cut, don’t over think it.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2023 7:21 PM

2023-09-15T19:21:04-04:00

Here's how I understand it. Our government, alongside the military, dictates what is to be considered a combat zone. Then we get shipped to that combat zone and we do our jobs. Thus, Voila! Combat veteran. "But I was never actually in combat LT!" Yep, that's true of about 70% of all us veterans from the years 2004-2021. We still served in a combat zone though, and that's what the term means. "Combat" in this sense is fought by an army, not just the dudes with guns that go bang.

However, If you're trying to understand street-talk and what the average Joe schmo means when they say combat veteran, well then throw the book out the door. The guy or gal who pulled headcount at the DFAC and had a mortar land within a 100m of them might argue that they are in fact, a combat veteran, same as the guy who was kicking in doors for 3 months straight and ended up in Fallujah before he finally got the magic ticket that sent him home. If people want to act like they're in highscool and war is just another sport for us to play around in, then the result is mass confusion on what actually makes us a combat veteran and whether or not we're cool enough to call ourselves that. That type of talk doesn't really matter. Stick with the stipulations as set by big Army.

Outside of that, most seasoned Soldiers recognize that there is the infantry, and then there is everyone else. Certain MOS sets do the actual fighting and everyone else supports them. None are better than the other, but each have respect for each other. The rifleman doesn't pretend they won the war by themself and logistics meant nothing. And the logistic soldiers don't pretend like they're hardened killers because they shot a couple shots off the side of their humvee that one time they stopped on a patrol. At least, that's how it should be!

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 15 at 2023 7:30 PM

2023-09-15T19:30:13-04:00

The only group (as far as I'm aware of) that has a legal definition of "combat veteran" is the Veterans Administration. They define a combat veteran as troops who have received hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay at any time during their service, earned a combat service medal, or have military service documentation that show they were in a combat theater.

If you're asking if you are a "REAL combat veteran", then I think 1SG Russell S. pretty much summed it up - don't overthink it.

There will be those that don't consider you a REAL combat veteran unless you served a certain amount of time in a combat zone. Others don't consider you a REAL combat veteran unless you were in a firefight. Still other don't consider you a REAL combat veteran unless you were wounded.

Regarding their opinion of a "REAL combat veteran", as the saying goes everyone has one of those two things...

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Sep 15 at 2023 7:32 PM

2023-09-15T19:32:44-04:00

A lot of cooks, clerks, and jerks were never involved in a confrontation as you put it, but still are combat veterans having served in an imminent fire zone. ( Please do not respond about my mos descriptions, as that is how we talked in the age of dinosaurs)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2023 11:36 PM

2023-09-15T23:36:07-04:00

If you were in OIF, you're fine.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2023 1:17 AM

2023-09-17T01:17:56-04:00

The only definition that really matters is the one the VA uses.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 18 at 2023 10:49 AM

2023-09-18T10:49:37-04:00

What's the end goal? What are you trying to achieve or accomplish? If you served in a campaign or theater of combat that would mean you served in a combat zone. But if you were in direct combat that is an added distinction and exactly why you have combat action badges and awards. It adds the clarification. The VFW eligibility criteria includes all of that and also includes receiving "Receipt of Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay ". This is different than hazardous duty pay and not the same thing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2023 2:59 PM

2023-09-18T14:59:58-04:00

The only people who truly try to define this are those who made the Army their entire identity. I deployed to Iraq twice. I was the BN S2 NCO. I went out the first deployment a few times with route clearance patrols and nothing happened those times. Second time we really didn't need to be there and ended up "training the IA" to do route clearance. 12 and 15 month deployments. If someone wants to say I'm not a "combat' veteran because I didn't see "action" cool. IDGAF. I still deployed. I'm still a veteran once I'm out. Just like my oldest brother is a veteran. He never saw combat. He was active 3 years and Reserve 3 years. One younger brother is NG - 20 years this year and he deployed the same time I did in 05-06. He's a 88M so he was out on the roads in far more danger than I ever was. If someone wants to say he's not a "combat' veteran because he wasn't in a truck that got blown up I don't think he'd care. He knows what he did.

Either way, if you serve the minimum required time the VA says you need to qualify for benefits, you're a veteran. The other stuff, who cares?

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Sep 28 at 2023 11:07 AM

2023-09-28T11:07:46-04:00

I tend to agree with Col Cudworth and LT Caley. Desert Strom I didn't fire a shot but the 2 team leaders and the squad leader did. I was Infantry then and so there for we earned the CIB. I served in support role as an MP later on in my career and received combat pay so....... In Iraq outside the wire doing mounted patrols, didn't fire a shot but was there doing, took mortar fire regularly and had a VBID go of outside the gate as we came in on patrol. Bicycle blew and injured and killed some. Just glad we where inside the wire when it went off. One deployment at a detention facility we took rocket/Mortar fire. No awards but still combat.
Like they said don't go to far in the weeds. You were there in what ever role supporting whomever. It counts IHO.