As an Army Reserve 88H cargo specialist, how often do you get deployed overseas and what would be a length of deployment?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 May 2019 19:34:53 -0400

This might be a very specific Question and might depend on the company but I am looking for more of general answer based on some of my fellow reserves experiences.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2019 7:35 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 May 2019 19:35:31 -0400

*length

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 19 at 2019 7:54 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 19 May 2019 19:54:23 -0400

The "goal" was one year out of every five for RC soldiers. Deployments for CENTCOM are now down to 9 months, but Atlantic Resolve is a year. Depends on many factors. Plan on a year plus mobilization/demobilization time.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2019 9:41 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 May 2019 21:41:42 -0400

Depends on rotation! I see the opportunity every 24 months if your willing.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made May 20 at 2019 1:36 AM

CPL Gary Pifer — Mon, 20 May 2019 01:36:18 -0400

You may never get deployed.....I know many who spend 20 and out ..
No Veteran Status...no Active Duty.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2019 11:53 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 May 2019 11:53:47 -0400

PFC Private RallyPoint Member - The Operational Tempo (OPTEMPO) for deployments of Sustainment units, has reduced over the last 6-9 years, significantly. I was in a Sustainment Brigade as the Assistant S3 from 2010-2013 & we had at most times 1 Battalion mobilized (out of 4) and probably 2-3 Company and below elements that were deployed. It all depends on the needs of the Combatant Commander, the main ones now are in CENTCOM & AFRICOM. There is no guarantee you will be deployed since the mobilizations of entire units from the Reserve has decreased a lot.

If you are a reserve Solider & your unit doesn't mobilize, your MOS may get you voluntold to deploy (if they need your MOS). If you want to deploy there are WIAS taskers that come down for individual Soldiers & are also available on Tour of Duty (ToD) on MOBCOP. You'll have to Login to ToD to see if anywhere is looking for your MOS and/or grade that you can apply on. Positions may be limited for your grade, since most jobs out there are posted are looking for E6 and above

LTC Jason Mackay is correct, when stating that deployments are down to 9 months, boots on ground. However, there are some assignments to Kuwait that I've heard are 12 months in length.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2020 7:11 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 07:11:58 -0500

Good question, so your answer is simple. Contact S1 from your brigade level. Look into transferring to a unit that is deployed and looking for people to extend. There is always going to be a slot open. Being that your 88h you will never do your job...ever...on the bright side you will however, be able to fulfill a slot as a 88m or 88n. Especially in Kuwait. Once you are boots on ground in Kuwait you will be able to do in-theater-extensions for up to 3 years. Dwell time is based on you. You can sign a waiver and do 3 years all over again and earn the name mob junkie and have more ribbons and medals than a Mexican general. Get access and learn the systems keep your clearance and you’ll even probably go to a det in Iraq and Afghanistan for tdy out of Kuwait. Being in Kuwait might sounds horrific but you will collect a bunch of coins, 5k shirts, medals, overseas service stripes, if tdy possible CAB and combat patch, Norwegian ruck march badge, German armed forces proficiency badge, air assault school, BLC and a crap ton of visits to nearby countries.