Can you volunteer/ request for more deployments?

PV2 J M — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 10:12:03 -0400

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 18 at 2018 10:15 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 10:15:09 -0400

You can volunteer for anything but yes, if there is an available slot with you are the correct pay grade you can volunteer.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Apr 18 at 2018 10:16 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 10:16:55 -0400

In the National Guard the answer is yes if there is a deploying Guard unit that has a shortage in your MOS.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Apr 18 at 2018 10:23 AM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 10:23:52 -0400

Jordan,
You can always volunteer to deploy. But, I can tell you from experience that you're looking for career progression/promotion, don't get stuck doing deployments. Experience wise, deployments are good because they provide you with countless situations which will develop and become a good solid leader. But you have to balance everything out, meaning spend time in garrison so you can experience other things/situations, go to school, etc.
I always liked to deploy, but found out a little too late that serving and performing in garrison matters.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 12:29 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 12:29:14 -0400

Make it through Basic Training and AIT/OSUT then worry about deployments

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 1:02 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 13:02:59 -0400

PV2 J M Be careful what you wish for. You can volunteer for anything, but there is a time and place to do that. Make it through training and your first deployment and you will have a much different outlook. Combat is not like a game or the movies. You will be forever changed, so your mission is to take it one step at a time. Carefully plan, set goals, implement.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2018 6:13 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 18:13:06 -0400

Always, the level of difficulty in execution commiserates with the correlating component as well as "outside your realm of control" issues that may arise.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Apr 18 at 2018 6:55 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 18:55:42 -0400

Wait until you get your first one down, then think about it. Depending on your branch and MOS, some deployments can be rather rough. A much needed break in between is a blessing before you step off for the next one.