How can I volunteer for deployment as an Air National Guard member?

You need to speak with your supervisor before anyone else. Then have them check with your log plans section and proceed from there. Speaking as a UDM and a supervisor; don't circumvent the system. Message me if you want more info but those are your first steps.

I used to work reserve affairs for my command last year on MPA days. First, log into ARCET and lookup the Volunteer Reserve System and see if there is any reserve assignment opportunities for your AFSC to back fill an active duty unit that maybe looking for people willing to deploy. Then you can fill out an application online and contact the POC for the position, you will want to contact the POC. Sometimes those online apps in VRS get lost in the system. Then they will look at you and others seeking to do the job, in some cases the job might be available for a while. You will want to coordinate with your leadership that you are doing this and make sure they are good with it.

If you are coming off of 3 years, means you are going to hit your 1095 mark. This means that unless the assignment is an OCO ADOS tour. You will need a 1095 waiver. If you are supporting the middle east most of those should be OCO. But you will want to make sure it is. I have seen them try slip through the cracks non-OCO orders. If they are OCO the 1095 is auto waived.

You will have to most likely sign an MOA between yourself, your current commander and your gaining commander. The gaining unit will need to secure the funding for the MPA, as unfortunately when they get initial approval for this, the funding is not locked in until the gaining unit has a person for the billet. They have to route the request through the A4 of the MAJCOM or COCOM that is sponsoring the request. Then once the funding is unlocked they get a funding account. Once that happens the gaining unit through whatever reserve affairs office who works these will put in the MPA into M4S and then it goes through the wickets. When it gets entered into M4S you should get a notice that it is in ARROW's. At that time you can log into ARROWS and see that it has been initiated and waiting routing and final approval. Once its approved you will have the orders that should contain instructions on travel and reporting dates, etc.

When the process starts you will want to stay on top of it. It does not happen in a vacuum. You will need to be kind of a pest to make sure it is going through. If you wait until the orders drop in the last minute you will be backed into a corner with very little time to prep.

Depends on if you have a needed AFSC? Check the ANG website for statutory positions. There are some return to AD positions open as well for certain AFSCs. Have your Supervisory check with your Fuctional Manager to see what is available. We also have critical shortages in certain AFSCs, maybe you could cross train? Hope that helps.