What percentage of the military sees combat?

What Percentage of the Military Sees Combat?

The answer to this question may surprise you. Contrary to popular perception, only a small percentage of military personnel actually see combat. In fact, a significant majority of service members never deploy to a combat zone or engage in combat operations.

The Statistics

According to the Pentagon, only about 1 in 5 military personnel (20%) have deployed to a combat zone since 2001. This includes deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflict zones.

Breakdown by Service Branch

Here’s a breakdown of the percentage of service members who have deployed to a combat zone by branch:

Not All Deployments are Equal

It’s important to note that not all deployments are created equal. Some deployments may involve limited exposure to combat, while others may involve intense and prolonged combat operations. Additionally, some service members may deploy multiple times, while others may not deploy at all.

Factors That Influence Deployment

Several factors can influence a service member’s likelihood of deployment. These include:

• Service Branch: As mentioned earlier, different branches have different deployment rates.
• Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Certain MOSs, such as those in combat arms or intelligence, are more likely to deploy than others.
• Rank: Junior enlisted personnel are more likely to deploy than senior enlisted personnel or officers.
• Location: Service members stationed at bases near combat zones may be more likely to deploy than those stationed at bases in the United States.
• Type of Operation: Deployments for training exercises or humanitarian missions may be less likely to involve combat than deployments for combat operations.

Consequences of Non-Deployment

Not deploying to a combat zone can have significant consequences for service members. Non-deployed personnel may experience increased stress and anxiety, as they worry about the safety of their deployed comrades and the potential for future deployments. Additionally, non-deployed personnel may feel left behind or unappreciated by their peers who have deployed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, only a small percentage of military personnel actually see combat. While deployment rates vary by service branch and other factors, most service members will not deploy to a combat zone. It’s essential to recognize the unique challenges and consequences faced by both deployed and non-deployed personnel, and to provide support and recognition to all service members.

Additional Resources

For more information on military deployment rates and statistics, see the following resources:

• Pentagon’s "Demographic Characteristics of the Military" report
• Department of Defense’s "Demographic Data" webpage
• Military Times’ "Deployment Statistics" article