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

I was supporting the 24th d-toc as a commo lineman some 18 miles off the neutral/ Iraq border.
Out going artillery is reassuring, but the first time you feel incoming shaking the ground is life changing.
You shared the same fears as your brothers in arms.

Yep

If you were shot at or took idf then I'd say yeah. If you're like me however and never left the wire or took any form of fire then I'd say no. I heard firefights happening outside of Camp Taji Iraq (2019) and heard outgoing artillery but we never took any incoming fire so I don't believe I'd qualify as a combat veteran. I do believe I qualify as global war on terror veteran though technically.

Of course, you don’t need to be a firefight to be a vet, or lobbing shells. Your in a forward area you were likely rocketed and mortared a few times a week. Sucks.

Let’s see here. You were in the United States Army. Someone put a piece of paper in your hand that had some information on it like your name, rank, SSN, and unit. That piece of paper then stated something like on or about a certain date, you would proceed to a certain location. That location was a designated combat zone. You in fact went to said location. You performed your assigned duties and fulfilled your responsibilities. Yup. Combat veteran.

If you were in a combat zone, it was for a reason which is usually to fight. be thankful that you did not need to. That still makes you a combat veteran.

your case and question wold apply to about 3/4ths of those who "deployed" or served in a theater in combat,even going back to Vietnam. You and all the others wear a patch on your right shoulder designating they served in a combat zone/theater-wear it with pride-no shots fired necessary. All endured some hardships and some exposure to dangers of combat.

I was an aircraft fuel handler with the 4th ID in Iraq in 2003. Didn't fire a shot, and I was also awarded a Bronze Star. So yes I am a combat veteran because I was in that theater. You are a combat veteran because you served in that war zone.

No, you are not a combat vet. You are a 'wanna-be' looking for justification.

Yes is it, if you being in combat zone you will be in danger zone even if you havent participate in any combat. I know a friend of mine he was in Irak and was hit by EID but never shooting anybody. He is a combat vet