can you assigned to a unit that was awarded a PUS, or do you have to actually be in the fight??
My MOS was a 63K20 (quartermaster heavy equipment repair). When I got to my first duty station I was assigned to "gate guard" duty.
One of my brothers enlisted as a "ground radar installation specialist". when he got to his first duty station in Germany he reported to the First Sergeant as such; Sarge said.... grab a rifle, throw yer duffle bag on that truck, head to the field, and welcome to the INfantry!!!

It would be reasonable to ask for additional documentation of the combat injury.

quote:

Originally posted by ChicagoSigMan:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Why do you need to know?

The soldier has applied for a service dog with my organization and we give priority to combat wounded veterans.

Maybe set some guidelines for documentation by the applicant because you may not be able to access what you need yourself without their approval.
Also, make your life a lot easier as they should already have documentation.

I was on US Army Recruiting Duty twice, once after my second tour in Vietnam and again after my tour in S. Korea.

Looking at this DD214, this individual was a REMF, a typewriter driver stationed in Darmstadt Germany assigned to an administration unit. There is no combat service indicated on the DD214. There is no Purple Heart indicated in the awards section. In the bottom right corner of the DD214 will be an RE code (Reenlistment Eligibility Code) That number is crucial to read the DD214.

I would require additional OFFICIAL supporting documentation.

He was on active duty for 7 years and only made Specialist 4 (E4),also a telling bit of information.

Where do you see 7 years? He didn't even make 2 from what I see.

If you're looking at Block 11, the second line is a continuation of the first. Block 12 is where you see his time laid out exactly.

You are absolutely correct, using my cellphone screen I locked on the 7 months.

Additionally, he was promoted to E4 just a few months before discharge.

Something tells me his RE code is RE4. (Box 27) His Separation Code (Box 26) also tells a lot. For example, a soldier that could not get the fat off would ha e a SE code BCR (weight control failure). There are literally hundreds of SE codes Failure to keep your body clean (no showers, etc), yeah, there's a code for that.

Is the VA working with this person?

For that matter, he could have been hit by a truck in a base parking lot. Or by someone mad at a HR decision. Neither of those would be awarded a Purple Heart, could they?

Just an outsider's thought - I know nothing about the subject matter and was never in the military.

Purple Heart is awarded for injuries/wounds received as a direct result of an enemy action in combat.

https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Purple%20Heart

I know a guy who has disabled vet license plates and parades around in 511 pants, combat boots and the like. However, he never served outside the US. His “service related injury” happened after a doctor herniated a disc in his neck while manipulating it during some physical therapy. I’ve long thought the military should have two classes for disabled status: Non-combat and combat/combat related training.

This guy looks like he honorably served. Unless he would get preferential treatment based on your understanding of his claim, does it matter?

Spent 1 year 10 months overseas but does not even have an Overseas Service Ribbon. If I am not mistaken you can get an OSR for 6 months in a combat zone but based on this looks like he did not even serve a full overseas tour in Europe, hence no ribbon.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
The GWOT medal is a “I served during this timeframe” award. Everyone got it. I got one and I was in the coast guard. Everyone got it.

It’s like a National Defense Medal-everyone in the service during declared wars gets them whether they went to the theater or not. Shit I’ve got two of em for the Gulf War and GWOT.

This. I have a GWOT ribbon for being in. I have an AFG Service ribbon for being there.