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My unit is set to deploy to Iraq some point this fall/winter, my ETS will end up being about 2 months after we return to the states. This is my first contract and would be my first deployment. I do not plan on reenlisting. Should i deploy and gain the experience, or should I utilize my time left in the army to set myself up for success in the civilian sector?
Posted in these groups: 
Deployment
ETS/EAS
Deployment ETS/EAS
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
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Hmm, that is a tough one. So i'll say that it depends on what you expected to get out of the Army. Did you originally desire to deploy and conduct your job in a hostile zone, which can sometimes be a once in a lifetime opportunity? Did you originally desire to earn a Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Former Wartime Service (Combat Patch) to carve your place in U.S./world history? Did you join for college payoff? Did you join for certification? Did you join to set yourself up for the civilian sector, at minimal risk? None of the questions or answers are wrong, I'm only asking so you can think about your original intent for joining, and determine if you are still on that path; then weigh your goals against what you expect from the deployment.
If you are being given the option, that is how I would assess the situation, and come to my conclusion, without feeling pressured by my peers and superiors.
Just my opinion.
If you are being given the option, that is how I would assess the situation, and come to my conclusion, without feeling pressured by my peers and superiors.
Just my opinion.
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I would deploy. I am sure some will say you will get more benefits, and that is great, but that isn't why I would do it. We all joined to serve. This is your chance. I have 3 tours in so far and I am sure I will get a few more in. This is your opportunity to serve.
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SGT Charles Napierala
Honest question: What benefit does SPC (Join to see) gain from serving a deployment over transitioning classes?
Would deploying offer a beautiful resume bullet that gives you an edge over your competition? Would a deployment be progressive towards the soldier's future career? Would a deployment be more beneficial to a transitioning soldier than learning how to apply to jobs, complete a resume, seek out housing, create an advanced future financial plan, and set yourself up correctly for the future you've already decided for yourself?
I don't agree with your statement in "this is your opportunity to serve" statement. A deployment doesn't define whether or not a soldier has served honorably or not. I can understand how an Infantry Officer such as yourself would hold deployments in such a high regard, but not everybody that has served in the military have deployed and declaring that deploying is a soldier's opportunity to serve degrades the sacrifice that many have already made.
I feel that your answer reflects what your own desires based on your own position and your own current situation and doesn't reflect the best interests of SPC Michael McDonald.
Just to clarify, I have deployed, but I don't look down on others that haven't. Especially not in the private sector.
Would deploying offer a beautiful resume bullet that gives you an edge over your competition? Would a deployment be progressive towards the soldier's future career? Would a deployment be more beneficial to a transitioning soldier than learning how to apply to jobs, complete a resume, seek out housing, create an advanced future financial plan, and set yourself up correctly for the future you've already decided for yourself?
I don't agree with your statement in "this is your opportunity to serve" statement. A deployment doesn't define whether or not a soldier has served honorably or not. I can understand how an Infantry Officer such as yourself would hold deployments in such a high regard, but not everybody that has served in the military have deployed and declaring that deploying is a soldier's opportunity to serve degrades the sacrifice that many have already made.
I feel that your answer reflects what your own desires based on your own position and your own current situation and doesn't reflect the best interests of SPC Michael McDonald.
Just to clarify, I have deployed, but I don't look down on others that haven't. Especially not in the private sector.
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CPT (Join to see)
SGT Charles Napierala - That is a good questions. The first two that pop into my head are the tax exemption while you are deployed and the availability to use the Savings Deposit Program. Both of these are good. But the benefit is the service to a nation when in need.
For your first paragraph it does help you in your future careers. I can't speak for everyone but for a brief time I was a civilian and became a police officer. I was offered positions in several departments based on my military background. I didn't realize this till later when others I knew were told there were no openings when I was offered a position. If you stay in the military it will boost your military resume. I have three tours in so far. As an officer soldiers want leaders with experience. The best kind is combat experience. For a while deployments were even credited with promotion points.
Also, I am surprised with one of your statements. When you said "not everybody that has served in the military have deployed and declaring that deploying is a soldier's opportunity to serve degrades the sacrifice that many have already made" you are inferring that I degrade soldiers. That is foolish to say the least. Just because you don't deploy doesn't mean you didn't serve with honor but you don't have the experience of those who did. It is like saying "when you claim those with a college get better jobs you are saying those without aren't capable of getting better jobs." The Army is a place where soldiers are compared to another. It is how we evaluate soldiers annually. This is done on the NCOER and the OER. If an soldier goes to Ranger School and passes while his peers don't attempt then the Ranger qualified soldier may get a better evaluation. that is just how it is.
I never said that I ever looked down on anyone. But I greatly valued all of my deployments and walked away with a great experience. They tested my core. But that is only my opinion. You can take it how ever you want.
For your first paragraph it does help you in your future careers. I can't speak for everyone but for a brief time I was a civilian and became a police officer. I was offered positions in several departments based on my military background. I didn't realize this till later when others I knew were told there were no openings when I was offered a position. If you stay in the military it will boost your military resume. I have three tours in so far. As an officer soldiers want leaders with experience. The best kind is combat experience. For a while deployments were even credited with promotion points.
Also, I am surprised with one of your statements. When you said "not everybody that has served in the military have deployed and declaring that deploying is a soldier's opportunity to serve degrades the sacrifice that many have already made" you are inferring that I degrade soldiers. That is foolish to say the least. Just because you don't deploy doesn't mean you didn't serve with honor but you don't have the experience of those who did. It is like saying "when you claim those with a college get better jobs you are saying those without aren't capable of getting better jobs." The Army is a place where soldiers are compared to another. It is how we evaluate soldiers annually. This is done on the NCOER and the OER. If an soldier goes to Ranger School and passes while his peers don't attempt then the Ranger qualified soldier may get a better evaluation. that is just how it is.
I never said that I ever looked down on anyone. But I greatly valued all of my deployments and walked away with a great experience. They tested my core. But that is only my opinion. You can take it how ever you want.
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SGT Charles Napierala
CPT (Join to see) - Re-reading my posting, I am noting that it has a bit of an aggressive and hostile tone. It was not my intention to come off as such and I really hope I didn't put off your mood with my poor word choice. I greatly commend you for handling my response in such a professional manner and answering all questions posed with great clarity and patience.
I'm not quite sure what had crawled into my psyche that day and I'm very sorry if I caused any frustration with my post.
Great contributions and I didn't even think of the SDP or tax exemptions that come with a deployment. I agree that the experience gained would be vastly beneficial to soldiers when being compare to other soldiers, or those that are pursuing careers in security, professional arms, or the like. Great examples with soldiers that pass Ranger schooling as well.
I appreciate your opinion and believe that deployments do offer a great and valuable experience, but in this certain situation and this constrained timeline, I don't think that deploying would be the most opportune decision.
Again, thank you for handling my brashness with great patience and professionalism!
I'm not quite sure what had crawled into my psyche that day and I'm very sorry if I caused any frustration with my post.
Great contributions and I didn't even think of the SDP or tax exemptions that come with a deployment. I agree that the experience gained would be vastly beneficial to soldiers when being compare to other soldiers, or those that are pursuing careers in security, professional arms, or the like. Great examples with soldiers that pass Ranger schooling as well.
I appreciate your opinion and believe that deployments do offer a great and valuable experience, but in this certain situation and this constrained timeline, I don't think that deploying would be the most opportune decision.
Again, thank you for handling my brashness with great patience and professionalism!
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CPT (Join to see)
SGT Charles Napierala - Thanks for the kind words. In my time in the Army I have learned you attract more bees with honey than vinegar.
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Deploy, you will literally hate yourself forever if you don't and Iraq isn't that bad at the moment. You'll be fine, go get some!
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