So when does it count as "boots on the ground?"

[Calista241]

All i keep hearing from everyone is that we won't have any boots on the ground in our confrontation with ISIL. Yet, somehow we also have almost 2000 troops in Iraq. Some of them are protecting our embassy in Baghdad. Some of them are defending our interests in Kurdistan.

I've even heard on CNN this morning that some of our troops are acting as forward observers, coalition liaisons, and trainers. Do these troops not count as boots on the ground? Are they getting combat pay?

[NightWatcher]

1. They're making the poor bastards wear their shower shoes

Technically it's Shower shoes on the ground, but no one's asked that.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Infantry. Marines. People going into combat to take and hold territory.

I'm sure the troops that are there are getting special pay. Special forces already get paid more.

[Boom Sound 416]

7. Infantry yes and

When their are pictures of them.

[unblock]

3. when it becomes politically acceptable to refer to troops as such.

much political hay can be made out of subtle distinctions based on exactly what our troops are or are not doing.

i think the idea here is that if we're not doing our own ground missions but merely supporting our airstrikes or the ground missions of friendly armies, then that's, uh, different, somehow.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. When some of them get killed and they can start selling "Suppor Our Troops" bumper stickers.

And, the politicians who sent them and weep crocodile tears for their "sacrifice" and demand that more cannon-fodder be sent to another useless war.

[SummerSnow]

5. Theyre playing with words...

Thinking were dumb. But to me airstrikes are a war. if two sides are fighting ..its a war.

[obxhead]

6. On DU?

Never, unless a Republican wins in 2016. Then it becomes boots on the ground on Jan 20 2017 and its all that guys fault for going back in.

(Might be sarcasm, but I'm not completely sure based on recent activity here)