Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Posted on Mar 17, 2021
Would I be considered a combat veteran just for being in the combat zones, without ever having to participate in combat?
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I served in desert shield/storm as an army cook for a tank battalion. I never had to participate in any combat myself but was in the combat zones. Would I be considered a combat veteran just for being in the combat zones?
Posted in these groups: 
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Combat
Operation Desert Shield/Storm Combat
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 76
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I was a signal officer in the 1st ID in the first Gulf War. I never fired a shot. I was always forward of the battalion, and often forward of the division. I watched a tank battle at night. I was shot at three times. Once by our own artillery, once by some ragged looking Iraqis, and once by some benighted soul in a heavy fog in Northern Kuwait. I was a combat vet. You woke up in the morning, not knowing if you were going to be shot at while you fed the troops. You ran the same risks as I. No question. You're a combat vet.
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SGT Frank-John Limiero
MAJ Ron Peery
You have nothing to prove to me. My opinion of a combat vet is just different than yours. You figure out if you are really a combat vet or just someone who wants the glory. Real war fighters no the difference!
You have nothing to prove to me. My opinion of a combat vet is just different than yours. You figure out if you are really a combat vet or just someone who wants the glory. Real war fighters no the difference!
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MSG (Join to see)
SGT Frank-John Limiero -
As someone who has survived a combat experience resulting in a Silver Star, you should be aware that everyone in a combat zone has a different job and different experiences. This does not prevent them from being a "true warfighter", that is your personal opinion only.
In Vietnam, everyone depended on helicopter crews. Many were shot down, at least a few received valor awards such as the MOH. Medics was another MOS that was critical to saving lives in Vietnam and was not a Combat MOS.
There are few safe places in today's combat zones. In Iraq and Afghanistan, one of the most dangerous jobs was simply driving from one location to the other. Just about every base was attacked by mortars, VIEBD, or insider attacks by Iraq/Afghanistan Military/police.
BTW, the first MOH awardee in Iraq was an Engineer, SFC Paul Smith. His unit was constructing a POW holding pen when they were attacked
Hopefully you get over yourself someday and recognize that just because someone didn't receive an award in a combat zone, or hold an 11B MOS, doesn't mean they weren't a combat veteran.
As someone who has survived a combat experience resulting in a Silver Star, you should be aware that everyone in a combat zone has a different job and different experiences. This does not prevent them from being a "true warfighter", that is your personal opinion only.
In Vietnam, everyone depended on helicopter crews. Many were shot down, at least a few received valor awards such as the MOH. Medics was another MOS that was critical to saving lives in Vietnam and was not a Combat MOS.
There are few safe places in today's combat zones. In Iraq and Afghanistan, one of the most dangerous jobs was simply driving from one location to the other. Just about every base was attacked by mortars, VIEBD, or insider attacks by Iraq/Afghanistan Military/police.
BTW, the first MOH awardee in Iraq was an Engineer, SFC Paul Smith. His unit was constructing a POW holding pen when they were attacked
Hopefully you get over yourself someday and recognize that just because someone didn't receive an award in a combat zone, or hold an 11B MOS, doesn't mean they weren't a combat veteran.
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MSG (Join to see)
SGT Frank-John Limiero -
It sounds like you are confusing actual combat zones and real life with your computer games.
It sounds like you are confusing actual combat zones and real life with your computer games.
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MAJ Ron Peery
MSG (Join to see) - Most days, the greatest threat I faced was getting puked on by my gunner, who had problems with motion sickness. But the kid would not stay at the FOB. We eventually had to send him back to Kabul because he was in danger of serious dehydration. I'd rather have ten like him than one Frank-John.
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MSG (Join to see)
MAJ Ron Peery -
Frank John Limiero replied to another post that he had been awarded the Silver Star. I checked the data base and it confirmed a person by that name had been awarded the Silver Star during the Vietnam War. If he is the same person, he deserves respect for his actions that day, but not for his opinions of other people's war service.
Frank John Limiero replied to another post that he had been awarded the Silver Star. I checked the data base and it confirmed a person by that name had been awarded the Silver Star during the Vietnam War. If he is the same person, he deserves respect for his actions that day, but not for his opinions of other people's war service.
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Simple answer. Yes. Anyone tells you otherwise, i.e. badge protectors, tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine.
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SFC R. Lee Linebarger
SGT Frank-John Limiero Got your combat vet bitch! 2 tours. So go fuck off POG!
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SGT Frank-John Limiero
SFC R. Lee Linebarger - Pieces of shit like you are part of the failure in the military. Your arrogance should never be an excuse for phonies that wish they were something their not.
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SFC R. Lee Linebarger
SGT Frank-John Limiero Jealous cause you didn't retire and I did. You are the failure. You and you alone thinking you have the sole exclusive idea of what a combat veteran is and your fucking arrogance alienates you from real patriotic serving men and women. I don't give a fuck about who you are or what you did. I have seen people die in combat, people get maimed and mutilated.
Shit bags like you are who give real veterans a bad name.
Oh and I love how I am living rent free in your pathetic excuse for a head rent free you fucking shit stain!
Shit bags like you are who give real veterans a bad name.
Oh and I love how I am living rent free in your pathetic excuse for a head rent free you fucking shit stain!
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SPC Christopher Perrien
SGT Frank-John Limiero - Chill man, Every knows there are differences between a War Vet, a War-Era Vet and a Combat Vet ,and claiming something different than the truth, is kinda "unofficial stolen valor"
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