When doing a NG deployment with CENTCOM (Syria and/or Iraq), when will I know for sure where I am going?

2021-12-31T19:31:05-05:00

I am an Infantryman in the National Guard. Going to JRTC this summer and I am set to deploy to the CENTCOM area in 2023 (Syria and/or Iraq). This is my first deployment (hopefully of many). When do I know for sure 100% where I am going and when. A few months out? 2 weeks before? Would it be after JRTC?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2021 8:50 PM

2021-12-31T20:50:15-05:00

First, I'm sure you're excited but you shouldn't discuss unit deployment information in an open forum in detail. Deployments for the National Guard are rare. First, I really haven't seen any Guard units in those areas. I have seen the Guard go to Kuwait and Jordan. You will get a better idea the closer you get. When if you go into Iraq, these are not war-time deployments. I'm glad you will get the opportunity to deploy but after this you may not get one again. Even in the Regular Army deployments are rare. Your leadership will let you know what you know. I'm sure they don't know the details right now.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2022 9:36 AM

2022-01-01T09:36:57-05:00

You probably won’t know till you’re at mob station or in country. Even still, you may very well rotate or bounce around locations based off of the needs of the unit, mission, and boots on ground requirements. Focus on training for your role because that should be your primary focus, and worry about location later. I know you want your patch and experience of what it’s like in country but you may spend most of it in one location (likely Kuwait), or jump around to many locations for brief amounts of time. Either way make the most of it by remaining positive and soak up the experience for what it is worth because deployments are hard to come by these days. Best of luck.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2022 3:13 PM

2022-01-01T15:13:08-05:00

You'll know 80% for sure when handed orders. 100% when you land in theater. However, that is no real guarantee as to where you will end up once you are in theater. For example, your entire element could have orders to deploy to Kuwait but some of yall could get piece mealed to other locations. I mean, if you really want to know, you could always ask your NCOs and Chain of Command. Right now, focus on the training ahead of you. Don't worry about where you're going. Because....there is always that chance (albeit small) your mission could be scrubbed before you get on the plane.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2022 10:06 AM

2022-01-04T10:06:08-05:00

I’m currently in CENTCOM AOR and at BN we knew our locations about a year out, however the FTN did not match our actual mission as the mission evolved faster than the FTN. With all that being said would focus on JRTC, then Post Mobilization as things are ever changing in CENTCOM, you should know for sure a few months out.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Jan 19 at 2022 11:13 PM

2022-01-19T23:13:01-05:00

SPC Frey. It's way to early to tell where exactly You'll be at before You deploy. Your main focus should be learning as much as You can when You're at JRTC. JRTC is designed to prepare You better for when You eventually get deployment and are oversees. Possibilities are You might get stationed at Kuwait. I recall when I was stationed at Ft. Knox and deployed in 2011. I was in one location for the entire year long deployment as an 11B. So, with this being said, learn as much as You can while in the states and at JRTC. It will come in handy while on deployment.

Response by 1SG John Mohon made Jan 30 at 2022 12:32 AM

2022-01-30T00:32:50-05:00

It’ll be when your body hits the rack once you’re there. Things change, FOB or COP assignments change up until you’re there and sometimes after.