Is Iraq still a "combat" deployment? (Army NG)

Supposed to be going to Iraq this year. Is it still considered a "combat" deployment? Will I still get hazardous duty pay and a deployment patch?

As far as I know, but the last time I was there was 2008. I have not heard anything different that would make me think that it is not still considered a combat zone.

Yes, though from what I hear your combat will be limited to non existent. However, with Al Sadr back in the picture, everything could change very quickly. What is your MOS?

People get hazardous duty pay and CZTE throughout 90% of the CENTCOM AOR.

Yeah, even when I was there in 2008, our hands where fairly well tied. 03-04 was a completely different story.

I haven't even been paying attention since I got back this last time. What is Sadr up to now? (I was in Baghdad last time, right on the edge of Sadr City.)

Ranting and raving about the evil Americans

I'm just a lowly 15F Aircraft Electrician. I doubt I'll even get to leave the wire Probably gonna be bored out of my mind. Have no idea where exactly I'll be going yet, but for sure going. Supposedly going to Afghan afterward, not sure.

You will get a combat patch, you will most likely never see combat. If you wanted to see combat and go outside the wire, why the hell did you choose an MOS that does not do that? I never understand these kind of questions. Maybe some errant mortar/rocket will land 150 meters away and your COC will put you in for a CAB.

So, no change, I see.

I know that I won't see combat. I know that my MOS does not do that. I chose my MOS because my recruiter told me I'd be able to change it any time before or after BCT. Now I'm going on this deployment and changing my MOS when I get back. Was just asking a simple question of whether or not I would get combat pay and possibly a combat patch when I go to Iraq, geez. If you don't like these questions then why go in the thread?

The answers to your questions:

MSM is portraying him as a dealbreaker to the fragile reconstruction and how he could ruin any US plans to have a presence in the country after the end of the year.
Their words, not mine.

Those guys cooling their heels down in DOHA, making just as much as me and getting the same awards....ya, that pissed me off some...

I started to get pissed about it, but soon realized that me being pissed has no effect on them, and only makes me miserable. suck it up and charlie mike.

This...and if you really want to get back at them...fuck one of their air force girls right in the butthole. It pisses of the air force guys to no end.

I am currently in Iraq, you will get the hazard pay etc. To be honest even though your deployment cycle will be shorter it will be dangerous with the reduction of forces to zero by the end of the calendar year. You can't keep maximum capabilities up until the last day and still get everything out of country, plus every hadji is going to want to get one last shot in so they can say they "chased" the Americans out of their country.

Was in Al Anbar in '09. Yes, considered combat deployment.

Or the mortar / rocket could land right in his AO and kill him. What's your point? There was / is plenty of incoming shit in Iraq STILL and it sometimes hits people. JBB (motaritaville) gets hit every damn day. There was a Female PFC killed there last year. Going outside the wire will not result in combat either. It will be a few rounds shot at you from a hidden location or an RKG thrown from an alley. No sustained fires.

The CAB also is NOT a medal it is only to signify that you "Engaged or were engaged by the enemy". People seem to get bent over CAB's for no reason.

Blanco, good for you serving your country. Be proud. Without you the birds don't fly and that is NOT GOOD!

It is still a Combat Zone so you will get the extra pay and a Combat patch. I don't know where you'll be but some places are pretty safe and some still get a lot of indirect fire. so take the sirens seriously and take cover.

When I was there we were some cocky MF'ers rolling down the road when we had air support.

I actually submitted a fund raising pledge to the Wounded Warrior Project (still pending approval for official endorsement) for those who receive combat pay to donate it to the WWP. I did it last year when I was at Bagram and had no real chance of seeing combat.

Just an idea for those who feel a pain of conscious when they see their LES then look at the SITMAP

I don't know shit about aviation, but does your MOS have the possibility to crew a bird? I don't know what the MOS for the actual crew chiefs are, but when I was there they manned machine guns once under way. So the possibility to see some sort of armed conflict could still exist...

It was mentioned to me that it's possible to get on a flight as a door gunner if they're short handed in one of the flight companies, but not a big chance of that. If it does happen, I will jump on it, though! Not because I'm all "gung-ho looking for trouble", but because I frickin' love flying in helicopters Honestly, I enjoy the CH-47 over the UH-60. If you've never rode in one, you'd be very surprised how agile they are. And you don't have to half crouch, half stand to work on their electrical systems

Youll still get your hazardous duty pay, like others have said people get it in R&R spots overseas. Chances are slim to none that you will ever drive outside the FOB during your deployment, even on DART missions you will fly out and back. Ive been a 15D for 12 years, enjoy the DFAC and the Green Bean coffee while youre there.

Not gonna lie, that sounds like a sweet gig.

I would jump all over a Manas deployment...they even get to drink there ! Not to mention day trips to Bishkek and Almaty...

If you can leave your base and go on MWR trips in the area....you shouldnt be getting anything other than overseas pay..nothing more than a PCS tour like Panama, Korea or Germany then...

What are you talking about? I thoroughly enjoyed my year long vacation in East Baghdad/Sadr City.

How is Talil?

I didn't do a tour at Manas, so maybe I shouldn't judge... but when I was spent five days there one the way back from Afghanistan, I was less than pleased ton my transient Soldiers receive less privileges (restricted access to alcohol, etc.) than the permanent party Airmen who were getting the same hazard pay.

I'm with you on everything there Sir except the salute thing. Manas is a no salute base unless its a GO, at least that's what they told us in December. He didn't have to salute you, however him being an ass and deliberately trying to avoid you is shitty.

Three Soldiers were killed two days ago in Iraq. They were killed by a piece of shit Iraqi Army trainee that they were training.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/world/middleeast/16mosul.html

Any of you guys been to Tallil Air Base lately?

True. I got back this summer from a TDY to Uzbekistan, where I never wore a uniform other than Class A, and found out I was getting it. Gotta make sure the AF guys in Manas and the ARCENT warriors in Kuwait, and maybe even the folks in Sigonella feel the love.

I want to go on leave in Jordan; specifically Petra - but I can' t go to another CENTCOM country. Why? How would it look if they were approving leave and pass to the combat zone. It would expose the fraud it really is.

Haters gotta hate. I'm at Manas right now. Based off the posts I've read in this thread I have to following to say;

1) I won't argue about the extra pay and benes we get here. Thats because my unit forward deploys people from unit all the time. So it's easier to pay us that way instead of stopping and starting pay stuff.

2) You guys can plug all the AF hookers all you want. It doesn't upset us at all. They are there for your morale.

3) Yes we get tours and off base trips. Big deal, they are fun and break up the monotony.

4) I've never heard this base not being a salute base. I must salute at least 20 officers a day.

5) Transients are a pain in our ass for the following reasons, they break and steal our shit, cause delays everywhere because they all run in huge packs like wild dogs, and they clean out the BX everytime theres a big push through. Granted I'm not hip deep in empty brass and hand grenade pins, but I just want to buy some deodorant once in a while. Also there needs to be some restrictions on transients because I've seen them do stupid shit like stab themselves with bayonets, start fights with other servicemen over dumb things, break into the chapel to play the drums at 0300, and vandalize everything they see with such nuggets of wisdom like "Air Force faggits" and other anomalies of the english language in feeble attempts to malign their AF bretheren.

I am deployed right now in Kuwait..... Yes I still get all the Haz duty SSI Patch ect..... Not too bad......And I got to play golf here in Kuwait...But if its any consolation....It was a very dangerous round of golf...............

I work a shit ton of hours.....Meh......I don't feel bad.

You don't get to choose your war.

I'm a Manas now and have been for the last 48 hours. Yes, it's a saluting base. And it should be. Why shouldn't we have custom and courtesies?

Just please - "transit center," not a base.

Some of you are just not aware of the political wrangling (and near outright bribery) that went on to keep that place open - as a "transit center."

Also, before you knock the retarded transients - it was not a transient who decided to shoot a truck driver first and ask questions later.

Some professional REMF in CENTCOM originally rejected my theater clearance to Uzbekistan - three days before departure, visa, tickets and orders in hand. It took a direct verbal request from the Defense Attache to unfuck them. It is quite a game they play over there in Tampa (I'm still not sure what - if anything - a lack of theater clearance would have meant - nobody seems to be).

I wonder how this worked during Vietnam - were the guys supporting ops from Japan getting CZTE?

If you are getting combat pay you should not be saluting. If its determined that where you are at is an excellent place to enact garrison rules such as saluting then combat pay should be stripped immediately, and you can receive your salutes.


Everyone wants to have their cake and eat it too.

I had to laugh at this.

If you want deodorant have someone mail you some. A lot of us never see a PX and don't get mail for months. Keeping the PX stocked for the permanent-party combat-pay earning AF personnel on Manas is not really something I could ever legitimately complain about with a straight face.




Its a good thing they didn't get to see your rant or vandalism would be the worst of your worries.

I will disgree and submit the following:

The criteria for whether an area is too dangerous for saluting should be based on on whether helmet and body armor is prescribed wear. In helmet and body armor? Do not salute.

WAY to many career pogues want to be-bop around all day on their "off" day in PTs and decry why they need to salute and show basic military discipline in a "combat zone." They do not see the inherent contradiction, nor wonder why I laugh at them.

I suppose you could argue that such places should not get CZTE, additional pays and such, but too many people have left this earth from rocket attacks and such in such places to make that argument stick. Of course, this does not include Manas, or other countries in CENTCOM we do class that way.

I think there should be some sort of additional pay for people who accept more than passive risk in the exclusion area, as well.

I understand what you are saying, but this would prescribe saluting at COPs, PB's, and JSS's that do not require body armor inside the walls except for certain periods of stand-to. The army has gotten way too comfortable with trying to push a garrison mentality out to actual combat zones, and I honestly believe this to be because too many people higher in the food chain are stationed at places that are not legitimate combat zones yet they are treated in the same exact manner.

If you read the 10th Mountain policy letter to AFG-RC south requiring the wear of reflective belts during hours of darkness there is no wording to separate places like KAF or some shithole COP out in the Argandab from this policy. The policy actually states that it applies to all of RC south. This is the mentality that is hurting the fight, the people in charge stay on huge bases that take a rocket or two here or there and somehow believe that there is no distinction between that and actual combat zones, hence no distinctions in policies.

The fact that places like Manas and Kuwait get combat pay is a straight kick in the dick.

I'm sorry..maybe I don't understand this fully because I haven't been deployed yet..but honestly, what is the big deal with combat pay? I can see maybe getting a little upset for people getting combat pay in places that have never truly been combat zones, but come on. You guys are seriously getting bent out of shape for other people getting an extra $150 a month because they're spending time away from their families in a foreign country that is considered a "combat zone"? Is it really causing you that many problems? Sorry, but you infantry guys could not operate without the "pogues" that you abhor so much. I can see friendly rivalry, but to actually get angry about it..come on. We're all part of the same military. I dunno, maybe I'm just ignorant because I'm just a lowly not-yet-deployed E3 aviation electrician.

That has nothing to do with it. I'm not mad at anyone, but I do think that the policy enabling combat pay to places like Manas and Kuwait is completely ridiculous. I also feel that if said "pogues" feel the need to create a garrison-like atmosphere then there should be no combat pay allotted at said location. Too many people forget we are at war and think they are on a fucking vacation. Either act like we are at war or get treated like you are not.

Then again, I am also of the mindset that if your unit has enough people to take set days off from work in theater then you should be sending people home. There's nothing more frustrating then finally making it back to a base for much needed support and you find that the things you need to get done cannot be because the required personnel are on their "off day" preparing to head out to salsa night.

If there is a rift between combat arms and everyone else there usually is a reason.

It's not just the combat arms guys who deal with that bullshit. Remember, your own job is a Combat Support job on paper.

Okay, I understand that. It just seemed like a lot of people were pissed because people not actually seeing combat on a daily basis were getting the same combat pay. I agree that it is retarded to salute an officer anywhere in a combat zone. And yeah, the whole day off thing is pretty dumb too. I also agree that a lot of people think of it more as a vacation than a war and that's wrong.

I understand that, but the core issue is the change in attitude of the units in the rear. As EOD, I do my best to support the units I am with, but in the end we are right up front with them. The rear units that support us, the combat arms guys, and everyone else right up front with them seem to forget real fast that there is a war going on, right on up to command elements. Too many times I have seen the attitude go from support to self-sustainment. The whole package of combat pays combined with mass garrison-esque policy only seems to perpetuate it. Its too easy to forget about how important your work is to the guys up front when you are treated exactly the same way you were back home, with the only exception being that you receive the same pays.


In the end, everyone needs to be treated as if people's lives are on the line, not just the guys up front. If you earn combat pay you should all be held to the same standards.

It is about mindset, I am a POG (Person Other than Grunt) this time around but I work hard to make sure neither I nor my Marines develop a REMF (Rear Echelon Mother Fucker) attitude.

My job is to support the guys and gals who roll outside the wire and risk their lives every day not give them shit about a dusty uniform in the DFAC or some other bullshit stupidity.
POG's should do our assigned jobs to the best of our ability and teach our subordinates that we don't bitch and moan about missing a meal because we had work or having to do our job in general.

I see way to many NCO's let the newbies develop bad attitudes and whine about little thing the PX running out of pogey bait because a platoon of grunts bought all raman noodles to take back to their outpost. It drives me nuts when a section head fails to maintain proper coverage in the shop because the guys and gals want to get ice cram at the boardwalk or play video games at the USO.

Don't even get me started on the E-7 who hordes class 1 items because he and his troops are lazy fuckers who don't want to go eat at the DFAC. Hey fatboy-7 the gatoraid is for the grunts not your motley crew of PT failures and fatbodies.

As for the pay question, Does anyone really think it is right that soldier who works in Kuwait from 0800 to 1700, sleeps in a barracks room with a comfy bed with cable, internet and wears jeans and heels to the Starbucks is entitled to same financial allowances as the 03/11 who freezes his ass off in a dusty hole in the dirt, burn his own shit and eats MRE's 3 times a day?

If you haven't deployed I don't think you can really understand the level of stupidity that can exist out here.


Monk

JBB was a salute zone when I was there for OIF 1, we still had holes in the original fence line, mortar rate was usually 7-20 a night and we did have locals probing the wire. I thought the policy was asinine, but the command also liked to do battalion runs 200 meters from the fence line "to boost morale" so their ideas were definetely questionable.

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