Is it possible to serve in the military without ever being deployed? Is this controlled by your CO or other factors?

Jennifer Farley — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 19:53:43 -0400

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2017 8:06 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 20:06:54 -0400

Yes. There are many factors in this. First, it would be your MOS, or job. I'm Infantry and we deploy often. Then it depends on your unit. Some units really don't deploy due to their mission. If you are a parachute rigger you aren't going to be in high demand in combat. So you may never deploy. At the end of the day it depends on what the Army needs. They may need medics to deploy to Africa or infantry to go to Iraq.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2017 8:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 20:20:08 -0400

It's possible. Even during the height of OIF and OEF there were folks who never deployed. On the other hand, there were several folks (myself included) who deployed multiple times. To be blunt, if you aren't willing to deploy you shouldn't join the military.

Response by PO2 Gerry Roberson Sr. made Jun 29 at 2017 8:26 PM

PO2 Gerry Roberson Sr. — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 20:26:29 -0400

Your rate/mos often has much to do with it, for example the rate of Tradevman(if it still exists), working with flight simulators.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 29 at 2017 8:57 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 20:57:42 -0400

Of course. You could be assigned to a training command. You could be assigned to a non-deploying unit like a Logistical branch. You could be broken. You could be pregnant. There are many different factors that determine whether or not you deploy. Hell, you could get assigned to a deploying unit right after they've stabilized which means no more changes to the deploying roster. This would leave you stuck behind with the RBE (Remain Behind Element) most likely scrubbing toilets for the next 6 months while the rest of your squadron deploys.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 29 at 2017 10:06 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 22:06:14 -0400

There are numerous factors that play into this. But simple answer is yes, you can go an entire career without ever having deployed.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 29 at 2017 11:02 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 23:02:17 -0400

Is it possible? Yes. For people serving 2002-2009? Improbable but possible. 2009 deployments started to taper off. Guys joining now may deploy, may be to a non combat theater, may be to Iraq, Afghanistan, or another front on the GWOT. Maybe not at all, may be not for a long time. For those 1971-1991 entirely possible they did not deploy, especially if they missed Vietnam.

The role of the commander in that decision to deploy is whether you are deployable. If you are not deployable, a decision is made as to whether it Is permanent or temporary. If it is the former, you may be separated. If it is the latter, you must be engaged in activities to make yourself deployable in a given time frame. Now the Commander will have to leave a rear detachment. This will usually be people that are non deployable or retiring. A unit may have an advisory mission which mean you take a top heavy contingent to the mission and leave a number of junior personnel behind. Don't know how often they do this anymore. The unit commander will be given a number to hit my MOS and Grade. Commanders have the option to have late deployers come forward based on new arrivals, resolution of nondeployability, and family considerations (swapping husband and wife, not rule, just a nonbindi g option), early redeployers, or rotating people for shorter deployments. Most of the time you are taking everyone forward that you physically can, often requiring HHQ to transfer deployables to your unit and taking the nondeployables to other units....which sucks all the way around.

In the Army and the Marines, it is based on COCOM requirements for certain Force capabilities. Army Units are selected by a force generator command like Army Forces Command in conjunction with USARC and NGB. G357 decides based on a Joint Forces Requirement. For the vast majority, they are deployed as a unit, not just random joes pulled out to deploy. the Army abandoned the individual filler system after Vietnam as it negatively impacted combat effectiveness.

The Air Force deploys hodge podge units based on individual deployers that are designated in their "bucket" by big Air Force. Again this is based on a joint force requirement from a COCOM. When you are in the bucket, you are eligible for overseas tasking. Maybe you get picked, maybe not. It is a hot mess as Joe E2 has to get himself ready to deploy, find his way over, and then execute.

The Navy is deployed as described above for land based capability, but there is a separate deployment cycle for the sea going Navy. The Vessels and units deploy by in large. They do fill some WIAS type taskers.

There are Joint Manning Documents for different over seas missions that are sourced from the different branches based on a capability requirement. These manefest in the Army through the World Wide Individual Augmentation System (WIAS - pronounced Why-Ass) , known as a WIAS Tasker. The WIAS taskers are filled by donor units by their higher HQ and there is some slosh about fills it, but SOMEONE is going, volunteer or not.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Jun 29 at 2017 11:45 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 23:45:31 -0400

There must be thousands of "Homesteaders" in the Wash DC area.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Jun 29 at 2017 11:50 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 23:50:08 -0400

From my experience, units are deployed based on their Readiness level. For my first deployment, almost the entire BDE was deployed and the soldiers with the MOS we needed were supplied by other units.
For another, some change had been made and my unit deployed again, comprising mostly of soldiers from my BDE and then an attached Air Force unit at that unit. My Active unit is one of the most deployed in existence. I served in the NG for a short period. Not sure how that works on deployments and I was 'grounded' as part of my re-enlistment from Active Duty to my home state NG. Not 100% sure but I'm sure people in the Pentagon who track this as well as giving the Joint Chiefs this. When a deployment is needed, then various military and other experts advise the President on unit strength and which might be best suited for that operation.
From there the President makes the decision and signs the order(s). Units are given notice fairly quickly and around a month to prepare depending on operation, needs, and capability.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 1:46 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 01:46:01 -0400

Definitely possible. I remember seeing a slick sleeve Msgt when I was a PFC. Blew my little private mind.

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Jun 30 at 2017 8:47 AM

PO1 Don Gulizia — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 08:47:32 -0400

Depends on the service and the job. There are ways to do it. I “sacrificed” my career for the good of my family. I didn’t take the toughest assignments and it cost me advancements to higher paygrades. BUT, it was worth it for me. I wasn’t an absent dad. Everyone has to make those decisions for themselves. There’s no “right way” to navigate a career. But the service member must think long and hard how they want to serve and what their expectations are moving forward. One cannot expect to advance to higher ranks by staying close to home. Good luck.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 30 at 2017 10:44 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 10:44:24 -0400

Absolutely.

Regardless of the geopolitical landscape/op tempo, one's MOS or total time in service (though they certainly affect one's odds of deployment), it all falls back on this one simple phrase "needs of the ___" (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines).

So how can I be so sure?

I enlisted as Active Duty 11B, with Iraq & Afghanistan as operationally hot as ever. My plan was to do AD a few years, then transfer to the Reserves to run out my contract. I stuck to my plan. No extension, no reup.

So with 2 wars popping off, and being Infantry, I had NO reason to believe I would not deploy at least once. I was trained and ready to do so.

Uncle Sam had other plans.

I was sent to 2-1AD; the Army's newly designated testing brigade. This unit didn't even exist as far as the Army was concerned, standing up 10 months after I got there.

As the Army's testing brigade, we were tasked with evaluating new equipment for the military. Most of it was boring. But not only did we do the kinds of training any other (Infantry) unit would, we would ALSO run a couple testing cycles per year that had us in the field for 5, 6, 7 weeks at a time. Many was the soldier who said that in total, they spent as much if not more time away from home in that unit that they did on deployment.

Here's the trick: The Army needed stability regarding soldiers sent to 2-1AD, and to that end they "fenced in" anyone who went there. You went there and you were stuck there for a long time. Drop any paperwork you want to get out--and God knows everyone wanted out--but it won't help. Most SMs never went to a unit where one cannot get out for years to come, so they have a hard time understanding it. Well, they were never "fenced in" at 2-1AD. It sucked, but it was what it was...drive on.

The only way to get out prior to one's "fence" being lifted is if a sister unit is deploying and short on manpower. I raised my hand the only two times they asked for volunteers over the three years I was there. The first time they took single soldiers (I guess beggars CAN be choosers); the other time, our 1SG felt any soldier who wanted to deploy (or were ambivalent about it) had too much motivation, so he nixed us all in favor of those he felt were unmotivated; and the butthurt flowed like a river.

So yes, while there are many variables at play, you really can enlist in a time of war and still not deploy.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jun 30 at 2017 11:13 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 11:13:53 -0400

It's not unheard of, but very rare. Also amongst the combat arms and combat support roles, it very rare. There is however a stigma against achieving a rank and not having deployments under your belt. There was a SFC in my company in 08 that had never deployed before. Nearly every soldier in his platoon was worried about being with him on the deployment. This came from the fact that 75% of his SPCs and all of his subordinate NCOs had at least one deployment already, most with the unit's earlier deployment of 05-06. He ended up seeking input from his squadleaders who did have experience and he was lucky enough to have a prior enlisted LT with a deployment from back in 03 under his belt. So if you or the person you're asking for are trying to avoid deployment, be mindful that it may have career repercussions latter on.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 12:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 12:47:56 -0400

As already stated by many on here, yes, MOS, unit, reserve or active, HQ or line unit. Allot of factors. It really depends on the needs of the military, what do they need you to do.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 2:26 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 14:26:02 -0400

Joining the military brings an automatic probability of deploying. Personally, I have missed 3 different deployments in my career thus far. It happens. But as others have mentioned, of you aren't willing to go down range then the military may not be for you.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 11:41 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 11:41:54 -0400

Yes it is possible. My wife, for example, was a CBRN Officer. Her unit had a CONUS mission, so it was nearly impossible for her to deploy to a theater of war. She did her 4 years and got out. In the Reserve Component they operate on a 5 year deployment cycle, it is likewise possible to hit the cycle just right. Essentially a Soldier would have less than a year to ETS when their unit mobilizes, which causes them to stay home instead of deploy.

With that said, there comes a point where you're going to get some side-eyes from your fellow service members. If someone is an E1-E5 or O1-O3, it's understandable that they may not have deployed. Chances are they simply haven't had the opportunity. On the other hand, if you're a SGM or LTC, people are automatically going to assume you've been hiding somewhere. Right or wrong, having a slick sleeve undermines a senior leader's credibility.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jul 3 at 2017 12:33 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 12:33:05 -0400

I will speak from the Army Reserve perspective. Now that things have tailed off quite a bit from the peaks of 2006-2011, there are less opportunities available. I had 4 deployments and only one was actually a unit call-up. The rest I volunteered for. For individual tours, the Army has Tour of Duty which is essentially a job bank for reserve component Soldiers to look for and volunteer for active duty assignments. Any Soldier can go on there and see what is available. They can then apply for any job for which they meet the grade and MOS requirements. However, if the Soldier is in an actual unit vs. the IRR, they will have to get chain of command permission to do the tour. So there are opportunities for Soldiers to deploy if they meet the requirements and their chain of command will release them.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 2:04 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 14:04:25 -0400

True story, I've never deployed technically (spent some time in Qatar), addiitionaly I've been to three different duty station's, which were nondeployable unit's. I've always been willing and ready to go but the army has different plans.

Response by CW3 Eye Bobojed made Jul 3 at 2017 3:14 PM

CW3 Eye Bobojed — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 15:14:00 -0400

I knew first hand of.many females that did not deploy due to successively being pregnant. Most senior NCOs at support brigafe staff level

Response by PO2 Seth Carron made Sep 14 at 2019 5:23 PM

PO2 Seth Carron — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 17:23:24 -0400

Depends on the unit you're in, timing, all sorts of stuff. I was a Gunner's Mate in the Seabees. When I got done with basic/A school, my unit was halfway through a deployment to Iraq in 2008, and didn't deploy again for another 4 years. Being a combat rate, I would only deploy with them if they were going to a combat zone. All other deployments they did after were to non combat zones, so they wouldn't even consider sending me.

Response by SPC John Decker made Sep 14 at 2019 10:11 PM

SPC John Decker — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 22:11:25 -0400

It has more to do with other factors. What your MOS is. What kind of unit you are assigned to. What kind of unit is needed in the deployment area. How many of that kind of unit there are. Have those other units been deployed. How did those units perform. The unit CO probably has very little say in the matter.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Sep 15 at 2019 9:49 AM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sun, 15 Sep 2019 09:49:47 -0400

Depends on your branch of service and your MOS. But there’s different levels of deployments too, you could go to Kuwait as an example, deployments don’t necessary mean your going to Camp Leatherneck and walking patrols, again back to your MOS. If your an 03 your going to be deployed A LOT, if your in a maintenance battalion, maybe.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jun 22 at 2020 6:44 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 18:44:02 -0400

Of course it is; Depends on the branch and the MOS. By deployed I’m assume you were talking Iraq or Afghanistan. You might ask or volunteer, but again it depends on the MOS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2020 9:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 21:45:46 -0400

I was in the Army National Guard for 19 yrs. before I deployed too Iraq.

Response by SFC Stanley Nelson made Jun 22 at 2020 10:21 PM

SFC Stanley Nelson — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 22:21:56 -0400

Knew a 1SG that hid out at the PSYOP School House for years till he retired. The Guy was a Joke!

Response by SPC John Decker made Jun 23 at 2020 6:01 AM

SPC John Decker — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 06:01:09 -0400

The question itself should give us all pause. I served during the Cold War. There were no active combat operations any where. I'm sure that Special Operators were doing some things but there were no actual combat operations. Should we all be asking why? We have the greatest military in the world. Why have we been involved in combat operations, in Afghanistan, for 20+ years?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2020 7:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 07:48:19 -0400

Sure... career recruiters and a handful of other MOSs aren't as susceptible to deploying.it really depends on what capabilities are needed and what type of unit you are assigned to at any given time.

Response by SPC Donald Donovan made Jun 23 at 2020 12:44 PM

SPC Donald Donovan — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 12:44:59 -0400

You took an oath to defend this country. Your in the service. Be prepared to deploy, and fulfill your oath. If you are too much of a snowflake to do that, Why the hell did you enlist in the first place? When I was at Brag, and again, in Germany, we had monthly "Alert" Drills. Held without notice, an least once a month, you were woke up, dressed in your BDU's, Put on your LBE, Took your alert bag to the arms room, Drew your weapons and went out to waiting Duce & a halves, and went to either Pope AFB (NC) or stood by on the company street, waiting to go to the Fulda Gap (Germany) If you are not ready to go to war, and defendf this country, Get out. Don't waste the time & money to be trained if you don't want to do the job. Even if you never deploy, you were ready to go, with hesitation.