Average deployments per duty station

SSgt Scott Schwerman — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 17:45:16 -0400

How often do deployments come around at MCB Hawaii vs at MCB Camp Pendleton? I know here at Pendleton they are popping up every 6 months at absolute max. Just trying to plan ahead for a duty station with deployments as an 1142 (generator mechanic) when I re-enlist.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jun 28 at 2015 6:15 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Sun, 28 Jun 2015 18:15:06 -0400

Hawaii's focus is now on the pacific. There will be training exercises in the pacific mostly but they are a couple of weeks to a couple of months at the most. It also depends on the unit you are apart of too

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 12:11 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 00:11:53 -0400

Cpl Schwerman,
As you indicated about deployments and as your MOS of a 1142 Generator Mechanic, you could go anywhere the Marine Corps wants to send you IF they have a billet open in your particular MOS. May I suggest a couple of things for you to review. If you are not married, then go to the East Coast MCB's or the 2nd MARDIV. You will deploy. If you are married or going to get married, then I highly suggest that you step up to the plate and see what your next level of expertise requirement is for your MOS/Rank. I've read the Commandant's directions for the Corps and he will be the next Chairman, JCS, so it will change to some degree. As a first termer, the Marine Corps will definitely be recruiting highly specialized MOS. Yours maybe one of them. So, Marine Corporal Schwerman, get with your unit Career Planner, or whatever you Marines call them now days. Sit down and do the 5 W's. ie. Who, What, Where, When, and Why, then the pros and con's. then go from there. Ask your Senior Staff NCO's about their opinion within and outside of your MOS. It won't hurt to get their feel of things. Also no matter what you choose, Base, FMF, Air Station, the choice will be yours for now. I was in your boots over 46 years ago. I wanted to be a Drill Instructor or MSG, but HQMC just said no way. Why, because I was one of the few with a bonus and duty station because of my MOS. From then on I decided to stay in and with the Good Lord watching over me I retired after 21 years, 3 months and 7 days as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 over 21 years ago. I also retired again 5 years ago with the County of San Diego. So, Corporal, Like the good Major and Captain said earlier, if you like what you've been doing all these years, then make a decision and don't look back. Just forward. Us old guys used to have a saying when I was in; MOVE, SHOOT and COMMUNICATE. Without Marines like yourself we wouldn't be able to do our mission without Generators. I know because I was a Maintenance Officer with Comm Co., HQBN, 3rd MARDIV, iii MEF, Okinawa, Japan for two years, and I had generator mechs, electricians, motor mechs, and comm mechs.
Good Luck & Semper Fi,
JK

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2015 11:45 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 11:45:49 -0400

It does not necessarily matter which base you are stationed at. It matters more which unit you are a part of. The higher echelon units do not deploy as often. For example last time the entire 1st Mar Div was deployed was during the surge; however, a battalion will deploy for 6-8 months then return for about a year. The higher echelon units do generally allow for volunteer opportunities to deploy with the subordinate units.