Why is there such a huge disparity in deployment lengths of different branches? What is a suitable length?

MSG Arthur Whiteside — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:17:54 -0400

My last deployment before I retired was 15 months - with a 2 week R&R period. I missed the birth and birthday of my first child.

When I asked senior Army leaders they told me that it was "based on the needs of each service." Respectable answer, but, "Why does each service have vastly different needs when we are fighting the same war?'

Average deployment by branch:
Army - 9 to 15 months
Marines - 6 to 7 months
Navy - 6 to 7 months
Air Force - 3 to 4 months

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 4:26 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:26:10 -0400

I Think the 9 to 12 Months is the most appropriate time.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jul 23 at 2015 4:40 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:40:34 -0400

The differences between the services, when it comes to deployments, have always been a thorn in my side. Had to deal with them when I was serving in joint commands. Would have been much easier if everybody "played by the same rules".

I mentioned this before, in a different post about a similar subject, but it fits here, as well, so I'll say it again. When I was a battalion commander, we provided rotational MP companies to Honduras for 4-month deployments. Since a large part of the mission included security for Soto Cano AFB, we had 25-50 (can't remember exactly) USAF Security Force (Air Force MPs) attached to the company for the duration. The USAF and Army MPs did exactly the same jobs, lived in the same billets, ate in the same dining facility, etc., but the Army guys got $2.50 per day TDY and the Air Force got $27.50 per day. The reason for that was that the Army MPs deployed as a unit, whereas the Air Force SF deployed as individuals from various AF bases across the country. While I understood that, try explaining that to a pissed-off Army E-4 whose Air Force roommate makes $27.50 per day TDY to his $2.50 per day. Pure BS...

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Jul 23 at 2015 4:43 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 16:43:01 -0400

"Needs of the Service" is a cop-out answer. It is meaningless. You might just as well be told that the sky is blue or grass is green. What needs and how were they determined? There are rarely legitimate answers behind those questions. I suspect that the real answer is more along the lines of "Because we don't know how to do it any other way." and "We don't want to put the time or effort into doing it any differently - even if it would be better." It might even be an answer like "It was the only op order we could find to copy."

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made Jul 23 at 2015 6:35 PM

SSgt Donnavon Smith — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 18:35:54 -0400

Every time I went somewhere the Air Force pulled me 3-5 days prior to my qualifying for the medal. If the medal said 90 continuous days, 87 days and I am out. SMH This happened EVERY time I went somewhere.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 23 at 2015 8:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 20:29:17 -0400

I will give you 60% fact and 40% ignorance. The AF has certain units have 6 month windows for rotation. The Marines have MEUs for 6 month rotations, they claim their logistics is not conducive to longer deployments. The Navy sends folks to joint billets for 6 month rotations. I know nothing about their ships. That leaves the Army as the Land Component leader with its 1 year deployments.

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Jul 23 at 2015 9:35 PM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 21:35:23 -0400

As a former cop in a constantly deploying career field in the Air Force, I can tell you my AFSC would be out at least six months. It could be longer if pre-deployment training was done in conjuction with the actual deployment. However, a lot of other AF career fields do go out for 90-120 days.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 11:49 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 23:49:06 -0400

I only deploy for 60 days at a time because i picked the right branch and job

Response by PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels made Jul 24 at 2015 12:49 AM

PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 00:49:45 -0400

Coast Guard does 3 to 6 months. Depending on what the mission is and where in the world we are going.

Response by MSgt Niclas Svensson made Jul 24 at 2015 1:25 AM

MSgt Niclas Svensson — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 01:25:30 -0400

I'm Air Force and I'm currently on a 6 month deployment and there are people here pulling a 365 ...another unit at my home station does a regular 4 month rotation, while yet others pull 90 day deployments, so even within just the Air Force there is a wide variance.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 24 at 2015 4:38 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 04:38:24 -0400

I've done deployments anywhere from 3 months, 6 months, 7 months, and 8 months. Those are "typical" Navy shipboard deployments.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jul 24 at 2015 4:54 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 04:54:36 -0400

Army troops have practically no elasticity remaining in their sphincter before we even get involved in combat deployments. 12-15 months is par for the stretching. OIF-I we didn't even know when we were going home until very late in the deployment. Air Cav, baby. Embrace the suck.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 24 at 2015 5:04 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 05:04:04 -0400

IMO, 9-12 months for the Army (non SOF units) is about right. For the first few months you are just getting to know your area and locals. The middle part you are in your groove and then you start Ripping with your replacements. Anything shorter and you wouldn't be accomplishing much before your Rip and the locals would have to start trusting a new unit. Now if we want to start talking about low/high intensity conflicts and not COIN, then you don't rotate until the mission is complete. My deployments have been 6, 12, and 15 months. The 15 month surge one sucked ass.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jul 24 at 2015 9:05 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 09:05:10 -0400

So, the Air Force of 3-4 months was YEARS ago. While they may still have some of them, most are now deploying for the 6 month time frame....my last one was 10 weeks at Combat Skills Training (Ft Polk), then 193 days boots on ground in theater. Gone for a total of about 10 months. Army for the most part, moves an entire unit (Co, Bn, Bd), The Air Force tends to deploy 1-2 people (or other similar small group), but not the entire unit (exception would be units such as Red Horse...). When only moving a few people, length of tour can be decreased....when moving units, it makes more sense to move the whole thing for greater time frame. Now, this may not be 100% accurate, but it makes sense to me. Not sure on the Navy/MC aspects, but suspect it may be similar.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2015 12:18 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 12:18:18 -0400

Had a deployment that was 22 months long. I am in the National Guard and that was hell on my family back home. Missed the birth of both my children because of timing. Any deployment less than that is fine with me.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Oct 19 at 2015 1:31 PM

MSgt Michael Smith — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:31:35 -0400

This info is incorrect. Someone probably dug up these numbers from a strategic plan written back in 2000. There are VERY FEW contingency deployments in ANY service that are less than 6 months nowadays. Shorter deployments are usually crisis response, humanitarian, or the like. The Air Force treats their 12 month deployments differently than 6 month deployments, but trust me, there are many many 12 month deployments in the Air Force. In fact, the AF Personnel Office just released new guidance related to 365's designed to prevent military members from dropping retirement papers after being notified of their selection for a 365 contingency deployment.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 19 at 2015 1:44 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 13:44:34 -0400

I wonder if the Army deployed soldiers have the most cases of PTSD compared to other branches.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2020 1:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 01:10:34 -0400

Deploying in a joint environment is such a surreal feeling. Showing up for your 9, 10, 15 even 18 month deployment. And while you are there, you see the AF switch out 4-5 times while you are still there!