Posted on Aug 21, 2016
What It Means To Be A Veteran Without The Experience Of War
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Superbly written article. While I do not connect to "being a veteran without the experience of war" I know the guys/gals coming into the service now may likely never deploy. Having deployed to OIF-I (Kuwait/Iraq), Angola, Pakistan, Bolivia, Uganda and currently in Iraq, I understand the trails of deployment and would never wish some of the things I have witnessed on anyone. However, I understand how someone who is wanting to give their all to their country would feel as though they "have missed out" on the full experience that comes with military service. I close with this... The military is nothing more than a group of ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things with their talents. You answered the call when most "thought about it one time".
What It Means To Be A Veteran Without The Experience Of War
Posted from taskandpurpose.comPosted in these groups: 
Military service
Deployment
Military service Deployment
Posted >1 y ago
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Just by sheer fate I was assigned to a non-deployable unit on Active Duty. It was no choice of my own, and simply what the Military wanted from me at the time. I have dual opinions on this. On one hand I wish I had gotten to experience war, after all I don't think too many people enlist and think "I don't ever want to deploy!". Now while this is one side of the coin, I also feel that it may very well be a blessing. With the uncertainty of war there is no telling what could have happened IF I did deploy. It's something I see as both a blessing, and as one of my only regrets in life...whatever the outcome would have been, it was not what the Army nor what god had in store for me at the time!
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Thanks for posting SFC! This is Great Article and can relate to how he feels. I felt the same way until I deployed to Iraq and then Afghanistan. When I was thanked for my Service, I felt I hadn't done a service to my country because I hadn't been anywhere.
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SPC Barrett Tillison
I know what you mean SSG! My first couple years I hated when freinds would thank me on Veteran's day, and when civilians thanked me for my service. But I began looking back on what I DID do during my service. I supported multiple units by training them before deployments, I also supported relief efforts during Fukushima where my unit decontaminated countless personnel, equipment, vehicles and aircraft. It was when I thought about all of that, that I realized that my time in the Military was NOT wasted and that I had PLENTY to be proud of. I no longer feel undeserving of gratitude, and I gladly accept it.
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SFC (Join to see)
SPC Barrett Tillison - Thanks for sharing that! Everyone looks at it from a different perspective. Since I was a little kid I wanted to serve my country as my Grandfather did. He was a WWII veteran that fought in 5 campaigns in the European Theater. So, for me it's about that day when the Good Lord calls me home. I want to be able to stand before my Grandfather at the Pearly Gates with my Chest held High.
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SPC Barrett Tillison
SFC (Join to see) - Well said. I think so long as a service member does what is asked of them, regardless of what that entails, they have contributed exactly what the Military needed of them. Every member is a cog in the machine, and regardless of how insignificant that cog may seem, it is a vital piece.
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SFC (Join to see)
SPC Barrett Tillison - I agree with you Brother. Everyone is important and a vital member of this machine.
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