hog slayer
Expert
While we're on the subject, what about civilians and contractors? It's not just GIs who deploy anymore. Contractors were driving buses at Al Udeid, Qatar and up-armoring HUMVEEs at Balad, Iraq in 2005. A big advantage to contractors is no long-term cost like you have with GIs. Performing support roles because our military isn't as large as it used to be is why we have contractors performing that mission. I don't think we'll ever see a draft again (I'll be back on active duty before that happens, scary thought isn't it?)
What happens when a contractor gets hurt in a combat zone performing the mission? I honestly don't know, but kicking them to the curb doesn't strike me as the right thing to do.
They know what they're getting into. I've got mad respect, but they choose a different route for a number of reasons. None of it is under the same type of contract as military service. And, they can quit.