Would I be considered a combat veteran just for being in the combat zones, without ever having to participate in combat?

Are you almost pregnant? A veteran of the Gulf War or the Viet Name Conflict--YES. Combat Veteran--NO. Many veterans who worn the "ribbon" were not in the theater of operation; however, they supported the conflict/war from a location outside the combat zone.

Maybe I'm wrong for saying this, but you're a combat veteran if you've deployed to a combat zone (not a staging area). All because you did the job you signed on for and NOT the first job of a soldier (shoot, move, and communicate) does not lessen the fact that you were in a combat zone. During my 1st deployment, my FECC was an 18-member section. Only one of us faced combat. ME! The other 17 were safe at almost all times on the FOB or CAMP. But they still did their jobs in a combat zone. Hence, combat veterans.

I am not and I even took care of Taliban and Al Quida wounded under armed guard. I leave the title of combat vet to those that saw combat.

Talked me into it you silver tonged little devil.

:)

In whose eyes? In the eyes of those with common sense? Yes. Sadly if you don't have it on your DD214...then you are not in the eys of VA or the Army.