How should we define Combat?

In the past, going to 'battle' was cut n' dry. If you held a gun and fired at the enemy and return fire was all around you, well, you were in battle. The truck driver who delivered goods may have never seen the first hint of action.

The war on terrorism, as commonly known, is a bit different. Roadside bombs, mortar attacks and so on have changed the way we can look at who was truly 'involved' in combat. In a sense, every American soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan is under a constant threat.

Because of his, post-traumatic stress syndrome and other mental and physical ailments have plagued veterans who were never involved in direct battlefield experience.

Thankfully, the VA is recognizing this and lawmakers are going to meet on how to define certain benefits that were previously only available to those who were involved in direct combat. These rules were outlined during World War II. Obviously, a lot has changed since then.