That's ignorance speaking (not your fault). Even clerks get killed. They do not spend all of their time behind a desk when their unit is sent to Iraq or Afghanistan. While some jobs in the military are certainly more dangerous than others, every single serviceman is a soldier first before all else. Unless you are stationed in the U.S. or a friendly nation, you can come under fire or get killed or wounded by enemy forces. You can and will be forced to fire on others. No soldier, no matter the job, spends every single moment of his service behind a desk in a safe zone. Even those who never leave the states or go into a combat zone do not spend their entire time behind a desk. If they never leave the states then they certainly are not at risk from the enemy on a daily basis, but that is an unknown when you enlist. I really hope your view is not representative of the "outside of the military view" of this country. It is inaccurate.


>Well, there are degrees. From the outside there is a world of difference between serving in combat and being a clerk.
>
>>Having served in the military, I just feel strongly that everyone who serves - no matter their assignment or why they enlisted - receives recognition.
>>
>>
>>>Yeah, you're right ... I got the terminology wrong. I was very, very glad that he had no combat duty. =0)
>>>
>>>~~Bonnie
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>I would state that differently. He saw 4 years of active duty and no combat duty. :o) He doesn't have to actually be sent into combat duty to be recognized for his service to this country. After you enlist, it is not a choice. Once you enlist, you have no choice as to what type of duty you will be assigned. It depends on unit you are assigned to. If you are in a unit that gets deployed - you get deployed (to combat). If your unit doesn't get deployed while you are assigned to it, then you will not get deployed. I have many friends who never saw a combat assignment and others whose unit was deployed 4 times to Iraq or Afghanistan. Sometimes it is the luck (or bad luck) of the draw...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>Yes. Especially a Cav Scout!!! :o) Was he a 19D?
>>>>>
>>>>>I don't know, I'd have to ask him.
>>>>>
>>>>>He didn't see much active duty, though ... he never got deployed to Iraq. (Thank God!) He spent a year in Korea and the rest of the time state-side at Ft. Knox. He still works at Ft. Knox now as a civilian.
>>>>>
>>>>>~~Bonnie
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Do our kids count? My middle son was in the Army (a Cavalry Scout) for 4 years.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>~~Bonnie
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Blessings to all who serve/d:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>If you served in the Military, let me know... branch and years...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Me: USMC/Navy 18 years...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>John