What It Means To Be A Veteran Without The Experience Of War

PO3 Steven Sherrill
Just because one didn't experience combat makes them no less a man, a warrior, and/or a veteran.

Same situation in a way. I was medically retired in '85. Whenever someone asks I always say I
was retired as disabled, but was not injured in combat just in training. If I didn't always add that I would feel like a fraud. It still bothers me when I think of my rating (80% disabled) and hear of Veterans with severe burns, amputations, PTSD, TBI, and other terrible injuries who can't get a reasonable rating. My injuries were severe and lfe altering, but it isn't the same as being injured in combat.

Although I was disappointed that I was subject to mandatory retirements from the National Guard less than 2 months before 9/11 and had never been deployed, I consider myself very fortunate to have the privilege to serve. I do have deep respect for those who did go into harms way; I wish I had experienced it at least once so I could relate to them better and better help them with combat stress and PTSD (either personally as a friend and colleage or professionally as a social worker) I thank them all for there service; but am very proud to be part to the overall team that has served our country!