[fintstone]

It is pretty hard to define based on what one actually did in the military...so that is why I would use the legal definition posted by CrustyChief. Folks in the military go where and do what they are told. I have had quite a few friends serve in Iraq or Afghanistan whose records show they were in country, but they spent the entire time pushing paperwork while others I know in Spec Forces, Spec Ops, etc. in the cold war who were in much more dicey situations still cannot even talk about what they have done and their records do not show anything. So even if you break it down, as many do....into Veteran, are Veteran and Combat Veteran, there are still holes. Even what seems like cushy duty sitting in the US and flying a Predator, launching missiles and watching people die (often collateral civilians deaths as well) cold be pretty horrible. I know missile duty underground in the middle of North Dakota or 12 hrs a day on the flightline in Chem gear in the Texas sun are not much fun...even though you never leave the US.