Would you look down on someone who hasn't deployed?

I don't look down at all on People who wear a uniform of the United States Armed Forces and are serving their country, they are already doing more than most people ! You go where the Military needs You, if its a deployment You go, if Your needed elsewhere well that's where You go. You can take justifiable pride in the fact You are or have served You country and own no apology to anyone ! Hold You head high and thank You for Your service !

I was deployed for 6 years many years ago. Deployment during a time when the military forces were low was sop over the 14 years of my active duty.

Absolutely not, full stop.

On my A-401 team in the Nam we had one NCO that never went in the field on a combat mission that lasted 30 days every deployment. I didn’t really care one way or another but I would always want to go out on every combat mission. No, I didn’t have a death wish I just found it thrilling and what an adrenaline rush. I also had confidence in our support, such as artillery, CAS (Close Air Support) and reinforcements if needed. At times for a few seconds I really felt sorry for the little NVA soldiers. But everyone knew who would not hesitate to go on combat missions. As for me I’d prefer being in the group that goes out to find the NVA. The monicker stays with you long after it’s all over. I belong to a Facebook group of former Green Berets and even now the ones that held back are still shunned and I sit back with the knowledge that I went into the field at every opportunity. It’s a good feeling. Unlike most of the Bronze Stars that are handed out like participation trophies; mine came with a ‘V’ (valor). For example during the 10 years that the 5th Group was in the Nam over 12,000 Bronze Stars that were awarded with only 2,131 that came with a ‘V’, that would be approximately 120 every year. Which seams like a lot but you have to remember that our missions kept the vast majority of us in the field and about 25% were with MACVSOG running operations in Laos, Thailand, and North Vietnam with entire teams of three USSF and three Indigenous soldiers that simply disappeared.

Deployment does not make a soldier. there has been many thru the years that did not make a deployment. FOR THOSE THAT HAVE NOT, INSTRUCT THEM FOR THEY MAY GO.

There are many factors for some folks not to deploy-I do look down on leadership who did everything to get out of the deployments. I had a Sgt (E5) who thought it was best that SSG's and above and Sp4 and below deployed as he could get better chances of going to schools and advance his career. When he asked for a transfer the OIC of my section and the NCOIC ensured that he was transferred to a unit deploying. When I was a BNCOC went out to formation and all the Airborne folks in the school were gone-DUTY is important. All my deployments were all volunteer-no hiding in the barracks for me.

Some people can best serve stateside. As long as you are not actively avoiding deployment then your service is simply needed here. I had many deployments during my service but that is because I was a Land Surveyor (USMC 1421) and my services were needed overseas.

I am going to concur with most of the other posts. Sometimes you just aren't in the right place, time, MOS, unit, etc., I was in an MOS for years that simply didn't deploy. Not my choice. I finally had to volunteer for a support mission (non-combat) just to get my boots in the sand before I retired.
If you or your unit haven't been called on to deploy you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Be patient, be prepared and above all else make sure your people are ready when the time comes.

I was slated to be activated along with 29 other members of my reserve unit for the Gulf War .
Guess what the one guy who had a combat arms mos didn't get activated.
Don't feel bad .
Essayons

HHHHell no, I would not look down on them, you think that somehow that makes (you better?) someone bad by not deploying?.....service is service....we don't need crap discriminations like this. However, I do admire those that have deployed. And I've been there, done that. I thank all that have served regardless.