Is there room in a "Peace Time" military for those who have known nothing but war?

2017-06-12T03:49:33-04:00

I deployed to Iraq within two months of graduating OSUT. My first three years I spent two of them in combat zones. For me, and guys like me, we saw that when operations began to slow, commands were finding reasons to get us out, replacing us with guys who looked good in uniform and could pass boards. Is there a place in a garrison military for those who know only deployed life?

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Jun 12 at 2017 4:17 AM

2017-06-12T04:17:03-04:00

Absolutely. There is an old Latin saying, "Si vis pacem, para bellum" (If you want peace, prepare for war) The experience gained in those situations makes such an SM an effective deterrent for future hostilities.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Jun 12 at 2017 6:40 AM

2017-06-12T06:40:59-04:00

It is not like there is a group of hardened veterans who are just sitting around, sharpening bayonets, behind a large glass wall that says "Break in case of war". Even after being deployed for two out of three years, you need to adapt to your environment. If you can't get out of the mindset of combat operations and not garrison operations, be prepared to be passed by your peers. Passing a board is what gets you to the next rank. If you want to stay in the "deployed " mindset of wearing a uniform that is dirty and looking like you covered a wrinkle bomb, then you will be left behind. The reason that people were being put out is that they wanted to bring back a deployed environment back stateside and there isn't a need for it. Learn to adapt to your environment and do what is needed to succeed.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 12 at 2017 7:52 AM

2017-06-12T07:52:57-04:00

You will always need the warhorses.

Response by SFC William Stephens made Jun 12 at 2017 9:15 AM

2017-06-12T09:15:57-04:00

I spent 19 years a single soldiers married to the US ARMY and deployed just about 6 years all together in the Middle East and 2 tours to Korea. I've always had my GAME FACE on and I still do.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jun 12 at 2017 9:37 AM

2017-06-12T09:37:14-04:00

Yes. I deployed eight months after I got out of AIT and to my first unit. I went TDY within 3 weeks after I got to my first unit. I deployed twice within my first 4 years in the Army with that unit. I'm still in.

Look at some of these people who are in 20, 30, 35 years. They managed to adapt.

There is a place for those who can adapt. If you can't adapt, you'll be gone.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2017 9:45 AM

2017-06-12T09:45:02-04:00

There is always room for jell-o