Due to the lack in artillery missions, what type roles will I play while deployed?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 11:16:20 -0500

This will be my first deployment and from what I've heard there aren't alot of artillery missions anymore. So what should I expect out of this deployment? What roles does artillery men typically play in deployments if they aren't doing artillery missions?

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Dec 7 at 2017 11:47 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 11:47:10 -0500

I am an arty guy too. Or I was. We would do a lot of convoy ops, provisional infantry, security and in 2005 we split the battery and had 2 small fobs we ran.
I forgot to mention heavy weapons support.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Dec 7 at 2017 11:53 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 11:53:18 -0500

I had a buddy who was field artillery in Iraq, and did patrols.

Response by SPC David S. made Dec 7 at 2017 1:00 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 13:00:49 -0500

Not sure but I'd invest in some comfortable boots.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Dec 7 at 2017 3:02 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:02:20 -0500

Try to get sent to MCB Camp LeJuene, the artillery fire never stops, lol

Response by SPC Robert Coventry made Dec 7 at 2017 10:37 PM

SPC Robert Coventry — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 22:37:46 -0500

A Veteran is someone who gave up their time and freedoms to serve our great nation in uniform and received an honorable discharge

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2017 5:26 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 05:26:04 -0500

I did convoy security in 2010

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2017 6:35 AM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 06:35:06 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member This is a critical opportunity for you to get ahead in your financial situation. While on deployment, your personal expenses should drop considerably and your entitlements should increase significantly. Here are a few recommendations:
(1) Your pay goes to your bank account. Open a joint checking account for a trusted person to take care of bills back home and set up either an automatic account transfer or payroll allotment to periodically deposit an allowance into the joint account. Do not allow anyone access to your primary account or you could lose it all no matter how much your trust/love that person. I recommend joint accounts with at least 3 trusted people (dad, mom, wife) to pay a bill or plan a surprise while away.
(2) Pay off high interest debt such as credit cards or other loans. See if you qualify for an interest rate reduction while deployed. Military friendly institutions like USAA often drop down to 6% to zero % while a warrior is deployed.
(3) If you are not 110% positive that you are staying active duty for 20 years, strongly consider opting-in to the new Blended Retirement System (BRS) in Jan 2018 so you can take advantage of matching funds. Invest at least 5% base pay, but preferably much higher, in the Thrift Savings Program (TSP) to max out the extra BRS matching contributions.
(4) If your deployment qualifies for the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE) then invest in the Roth TSP so you can skip the taxman entirely. Its like getting a 25% bonus on your retirement savings. This is a long term retirement account and funds should not be removed before age 59 1/2.
(5) If your deployment qualifies for the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion (CZTE), strongly consider the Savings Deposit Program (SDP) during your deployment. Deposit as much as you can as fast as you can to take advantage of the guaranteed 10% interest rate. You can sock away as much as $10,000 and earn $1,000 interest in a year. This is a short term savings opportunity and all funds must be removed 90-days after you leave the CZTE.
(6) If you have a Roth TSP, consider investing in the L2050 Fund. The G Fund is a safe place but the low return basically keeps pace with inflation and does not grow your wealth much at all. If the stock market is crashing you can protect your money by transferring it to the G Fund, but otherwise be more aggressive with your investment; especially at your age.
(7) Set up an automatic transfer or other arrangement at your bank to put money into a higher paying account than your standard checking account. Maximize your return. At least get a high interest savings account but consider Certificate of Deposit (CD) accounts or other investments that will give you a bigger bang for your buck than the squat 0.01% checking accounts typically pay.
(8) Use a military friendly bank or credit union like USAA, Navy FCU, Pentagon FCU, etc. Avoid criminal banks like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, CitiBank, Chase, etc.
(9) Do not buy a bunch of crap while deployed. You can do without the gadget and why spend a fortune buying food when it is served free. Those little purchases add up.
(10) Do not buy a bunch of crap when you get home. Don't let the money burn a hole in your pocket. I've know far too many warriors that got home and partied away their money or bought an expensive toy (sports car, motorcycle, boat, etc) and wrecked it within the year.
(11) Avoid IRS Form 1040EZ. Many taxpayers pay too much with the 1040EZ. Consider the IRS Form 1040A instead and file the IRS Form 8880 if you have a TSP account.

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Dec 29 at 2017 7:38 AM

SGT Frank Pritchett — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 07:38:41 -0500

You will be bored out of your mind, but not to worry your Unit will most likely be in Red Cycle, that is gate guard, motor pool maintenance, ammo guard or what ever else your unit can dream of. It is a good time to go to school because when your down range the books are free and their is no reason why you can't come back with a degree in Associate of Arts. Don't pass up the opportunities.

Response by SGT Tyler Melton made Jan 3 at 2018 8:37 PM

SGT Tyler Melton — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 20:37:54 -0500

On all my deployments We did gun trucks ie convoy security.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2018 1:40 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 13:40:08 -0500

Just got back from a deployment. I’m a 13m myself. Our battalion shot 1500 rounds. The himars are becoming something the army uses more and more.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2018 7:11 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 19:11:35 -0500

I did a ton of maintenance my first deployment I guess it just depends on were u go

Response by SPC William Clem made May 17 at 2018 3:22 AM

SPC William Clem — Thu, 17 May 2018 03:22:34 -0400

Guard duty or fill in spots for other mos

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2018 7:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 19:15:16 -0400

Montaugues answer was very accurate for me as well

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2019 11:27 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 11:27:23 -0500

We where temporarily made MPs