It is a hardship. BUT!! Let me be very clear, it is NOT the same hardship as those borne by those in uniform.
Its a hardship being away from family, friends, civilization, ect.
I never found it to be a hardship. I did find it to be very much like in fact exactly like the uniformed troops doing the same thing, however, and in fact it is.
There are many jobs that require extended time away from home. Contracting and military assignments are but among them. it's not a hardship. The difference for the military personnel is that they don't get to choose whether to be there or not, though certainly they got to choose whether to enlist or take a commission. We pick up one end of the stick, we pick up the other, and the same is true of the contractor, who takes the job, knowing what it entails. It is what it is.