Umm. I know a few vets that deployed to "combat zones" just to get fat in the defac's and collect bootleg dvd's. They got combat pay, but never saw any combat. Maybe a camel spider in a latrine, but that is it.I have ALWAYS believed that the military should de 2 tiered. Those that have been in a combat zone for which they drew combat pay and those who have not. If you have drawn combat pay then you are elgible for 20 year retirement and disability, those that have not are looked at real hard for any disability claim and are not eligible for 20 yr retirement.
There is NO shortage of enlisted and officer who have never seen a combat tour or hardship tour in 20++ years.