Can a person be deployed when they have less than a year left when they would return?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 21:16:44 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2018 9:39 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 21:39:42 -0400

The Army owns you until that contract expires.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2018 10:17 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 22:17:45 -0400

I don't see why having less then a year left would be a factor.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Oct 7 at 2018 10:51 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 22:51:52 -0400

Yes.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 7 at 2018 11:04 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 23:04:20 -0400

Yes, you can be involuntary extended, and not all deployments are 12 months long.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2018 11:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 23:58:34 -0400

The flat out answer is yes. You command will make the decision to take you let you stay back on rear d. If it were me I would check your ets/PCS date and determine if would be worth the squeeze to take you or not.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Oct 8 at 2018 12:00 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 00:00:20 -0400

If you will have four months left then you will have plenty of time. You can start working on your resume now, if you haven't already, and start researching companies that you think you might want to work for. When you do get back make sure you do your ETS physical. I have talked to a lot of veterans who didn't do it and now they wish they had.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Oct 8 at 2018 12:08 AM

SSG Brian G. — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 00:08:28 -0400

Yes they can. You signed a contract for a minimum amount of time. Uncle Sam can extend you 'for the good the service/mission' until your deployment is done or until your transition paperwork is done. We had an NCO that deployed out with 10th Mountain. He got back and literally had 90 days left before ETS.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Oct 8 at 2018 1:38 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 01:38:11 -0400

Oh yes! The will extent you until about 90 days of the unit’s redeployment.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 1:56 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 01:56:34 -0400

Yes, but it is up to the Commanders discretion.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 2:00 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 02:00:07 -0400

There is a MILPER Message that provides guidance to Commanders. Soldiers must be allow to return at least 90 days prior to their ETS in order to have enough time to transition out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 2:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 02:45:58 -0400

Yes

Response by SPC Katherine Adams (Clayburn) made Oct 8 at 2018 4:36 AM

SPC Katherine Adams (Clayburn) — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 04:36:32 -0400

Yes, either they'll extend your time farther than your ETS, or it may turn out that the deployment period is not a year long..... Either way, they own you- so you'll be deployed. On rare cases they'll have you stay back in Rear D to keep you busy till ETS.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Oct 8 at 2018 7:59 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 07:59:53 -0400

Yes, and you will be returned at a minimum with enough time to do the mandatory ACAP events and clear.
My experience is:
Good leadership does not do that to good Soldiers.
Bad leadership is indifferent and looks at what is best for them personally.
Good leadership is indifferent to poor or marginal Soldiers wants and considers the units needs which may be counter to an individuals wants.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 9:25 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 09:25:22 -0400

This was just a general question. I want to depoly. But i also didn't want to re enlist or extend to transition out. But if thats what i have to do in the end thats fine too.

Response by SPC Carson S. made Oct 8 at 2018 9:40 AM

SPC Carson S. — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 09:40:46 -0400

Of course they can! They stop-lossed me to send me on my second deployment, then tried to expedite my clearing from the unit and post when I got back; however, I made sure to use my terminal leave (45 days), so I was still getting paid while looking for a civilian job.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 8 at 2018 10:19 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:19:44 -0400

Yes. You can start SFL Tap as far as 2years out. The formal programs that they offer in the amount of time to complete would take 5-6 weeks if you did all of them end to end.

The DOL 5 day is the most important. There is another for resume building. The others are specific tracks like
- entrepreneur for veteran business starters
- the college track if you are going back to school. Most of it is how to apply for financial aid
- the standard 5 day fro transition

Then there are one day and two day sessions on interviewing, Advanced resumes, etc.

I would go before you deploy and find out what you want to focus on and see what you can do in advance. I have never seen TAP turn anyone away.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 10:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:27:16 -0400

Yes. Less than a year still gives you time to ETS and do all you need to clear.

Response by SSG Brian L. made Oct 8 at 2018 10:38 AM

SSG Brian L. — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:38:11 -0400

hahahahaha

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 10:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:52:01 -0400

If you're asking because of SF-TAP, you're supposed to start SFLTAP no later than a year from ETS and as early as 18 months, months meaning you can start before you leave and resume when you return.
The legal requirement is that you are given at least 90 days to clear prior to your ETS. That's not 90 days till you sign out on terminal leave, but 90 days from your ETS.

Response by 1SG Timothy Trewin made Oct 8 at 2018 3:32 PM

1SG Timothy Trewin — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 15:32:23 -0400

Yes. You don’t need a year to ETS.

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Oct 8 at 2018 7:12 PM

SGM Joel Cook — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 19:12:00 -0400

Haven't you ever heard of Stop Loss or Mission Critical Extentions? When I got my orders for Iraq in 2004 I had just got back from an unaccompanied tour in Korean 90 days previously. The regulation states you get 180 days on station before deploying after that type of tour. Besides I had an approved retirement date six months into the tour. I had 89 soldiers assigned to my staff section. 18 of us got stop losses, four lost approved retirement dates, and I had to go tell one SFC that he had to come back into the Army seven days after he had started his terminal leave. Because he was MOS critical and had not left the town, and he had started a new job already. All those regs go right out the window for stop loss deployments.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 8:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 20:03:20 -0400

Yes. As a previous branch manager told me...”that’s plenary of time to clear!”

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 9:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 21:35:09 -0400

Yes

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2018 10:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 22:41:19 -0400

To the point yes. Also if stop loss is applied you could be deployed even if you have less than a year prior to deployment

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Oct 8 at 2018 10:50 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 22:50:01 -0400

We got extended 2 weeks on a deployment from Oki. A Marine started his 2 weeks of terminal leave 2 days before we left for home.

Response by SGT(P) Landon Mintz made Oct 9 at 2018 12:21 AM

SGT(P) Landon Mintz — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 00:21:18 -0400

Yes I currently am in the same situation and just got back from my deployment. You are afforded a 90 day window before ETS to complete SFL-TAP and if you chain of command is gracious enough they will grant your ETS leave in conjunction with it. Although it is not guaranteed, you can be waived to a 10 day period to complete SFL- TAP and sell back your leave after ETS. But like it was said earlier if Major Conflict arises tomorrow you will still be contractually obliged to fulfill those extra years of IRR that came with your original active duty contract.

Response by SPC Thomas Krejci made Oct 9 at 2018 4:59 PM

SPC Thomas Krejci — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 16:59:26 -0400

Check it out, this guys never heard of STOPLOSS.

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Oct 9 at 2018 8:17 PM

CW4 Angel C. — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 20:17:01 -0400

Lol of course brother you can actually get deployed (to combat) until past your ETS. This was very common about 10-15 years ago when IRQ and AFG wars were on full blast. But for this to happen stoploss must be in effect.

Response by CPT Ray Gilmore made Oct 10 at 2018 12:49 AM

CPT Ray Gilmore — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 00:49:07 -0400

Ha ha ha......

They own you until......

.....and it doesn't end when you ETS....

.....They can bring you back via IRR.

You are theirs until you are dead or damaged to a point of being useless to them.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2018 11:09 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 11:09:04 -0400

I was in the Air Force and I returned from a deployment with 12 days left on my contract.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2018 12:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 12:36:30 -0400

Sure can

Response by SPC Joel Quey made Oct 13 at 2018 10:00 PM

SPC Joel Quey — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 22:00:16 -0400

When my Reserve unit was going to be deployed a few years back, I had less than a year left, my unit asked if I wanted to go, and I believe I even signed paperwork acknowledging that I knew how much time I had left, and that I was willing to go on the deployment with them.

As of 2015, some soldiers were being separated prior to the end of their contract if they didn't want to re-enlist or extend, and they were facing deployment https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2015/01/23/policy-will-force-out-enlisteds-slated-to-deploy/.

Policy will force-out enlisteds slated to deploy

Force-outs required for some soldiers in deploying and inactivating units

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Oct 13 at 2018 10:47 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Sat, 13 Oct 2018 22:47:15 -0400

As long as you wear the uniform until you ETS.

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Oct 14 at 2018 1:07 PM

SGT Charles Bartell — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 13:07:52 -0400

Yes, The Army does own you and they can do as it please's.
The way I see it is how much time do yo have left, And how long is the deploment time. As well where do you fit in the needs of your Unit. If you are a 11B in a Infantry unit that is a full strength or is you unit short. The short ansewer is how bad are you needed for the Mission. Regarless of your M.O.S.
Any one can be a Stop loss per need's of your unit.

Response by Sgt Clyde Sinclair made Oct 15 at 2018 7:50 PM

Sgt Clyde Sinclair — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 19:50:55 -0400

I'm not sure how it all works now, but when I enlisted and back in 69, it was for four years. I committed my life to my country for four years, never expecting less. It was an honor to serve. Today everyone who serves does so willingly and I sincerely thank each of you for your service.

Response by SFC Deacon Armando Sánchez made Oct 23 at 2018 6:19 AM

SFC Deacon Armando Sánchez — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 06:19:39 -0400

Yes

Response by CMDCM OLiver K Franklin made Oct 23 at 2018 2:39 PM

CMDCM OLiver K Franklin — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 14:39:36 -0400

Yes, your contract with your Country most likely has a statement to indicate extensions. I know when I was in the Navy, we would be required to CROSS-DECK, which is transferring from one squadron (Aviation) to another because the receiving squadron was short manned in a necessary talent. Most of us did it with Honor and pride in OUR Country and its needs. I di 30 years in the Navy and retired in 1991. God, Country, Family.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2018 3:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 15:13:42 -0400

Yes they can still deploy. They can even delay your original ETS date. Stop-loss is a rare occurrence.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2018 11:42 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 11:42:32 -0400

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2018 11:48 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 11:48:18 -0400

From what i was told no you cant be deployed with less then a year however they can force you to extemd a year under stop loss to send you so theres cheatch 22.

Response by SPC Christopher Combs made Oct 27 at 2018 4:22 PM

SPC Christopher Combs — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 16:22:00 -0400

I deployed in 2009 when I had 5 months til I ETSd. I was involuntarily extended til 2049 or end of conflict. Finally got my final approval to ets on dec 23rd 2010 just shy of 14 months past my original ets date.

Response by SGT Luis San Roman Jr made Oct 27 at 2018 5:25 PM

SGT Luis San Roman Jr — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 17:25:58 -0400

I've seen Seniors, Peers, and Subordinates deploy with twelve months or less and have one of two things happen. 1, they get sent back 90 days prior to their ETS..or 2, their contract gets extended so they can finish the deployment and they ETS when they return.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2018 6:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 18:08:05 -0400

I know a guy who ETS’ed while at MOB station and still got deployed. Had to re-enlist with a back dated contract down range.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2018 6:57 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 18:57:30 -0400

yes, they can deploy you. Until the contract has ended you still belong to the United State Army

Response by SGT Mark Estes made Oct 27 at 2018 10:17 PM

SGT Mark Estes — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 22:17:41 -0400

Yes, it happened to me, had 5 months left and deployed to Iraq for 15 months, was then held in reserve status for the duration of the Inactive Ready Reserve contract which I believe they have you a total of 8 years.

Response by SPC Henry Francis made Oct 29 at 2018 9:46 PM

SPC Henry Francis — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 21:46:47 -0400

Hmmm, Dozens say “Yes”, a few laugh but just one, a PFC, says “No”. I hope s/he reads all of the detailed explanations of why the answer is “Yes” before s/he reaches ETS.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Monk made Oct 30 at 2018 6:48 PM

SSG Jeffrey Monk — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 18:48:36 -0400

I was Stop Loss twice. The Army can do what ever they want once you sign that doted line.

Response by SGM Frank Marsh made Nov 3 at 2018 9:57 AM

SGM Frank Marsh — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 09:57:52 -0400

1966. I had spent two years in southeast asia; asked for and received Walter Reed. Settled into work ad the hospital and got an apartment and part-time job at a local hospital. 8 months later, I came down on orders to Germany for November. my ETS was September 23. I had already told them I was going to ETS due to my parents' death. (I did return to service later though). They refused to cancel the orders and on September 23rd I walked into the orderly room with clearance papers. So yeah, SNAFU happens for sure.

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Nov 6 at 2018 11:43 AM

SFC Dennis A. — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 11:43:08 -0500

Yes, we deployed to Desert Shield/Storm and our 1SG and one of my Squad Leaders had less than a year left before retirement. Both were extended to make the deployment.

Response by SPC Jeff Knight made Nov 6 at 2018 4:52 PM

SPC Jeff Knight — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 16:52:41 -0500

Yes.
Military reserves the right to extend enlistment by one year for betterment of military/Army. It’s totally legal.

Response by SFC Frank Quiroz made Nov 8 at 2018 6:05 PM

SFC Frank Quiroz — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 18:05:38 -0500

You betcha!!!!

Response by Cpl Geoff Smith made Nov 10 at 2018 2:45 PM

Cpl Geoff Smith — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 14:45:35 -0500

I've seen a couple of Marines deployed to Okinawa for 2 years and they only had 18 months left on their enlistment. You belong to the government while you are serving, no matter how little time you have left. Tey can even extend your enlistment, for the convenience of the government.

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Nov 24 at 2018 7:47 AM

SFC Bill Snyder — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 07:47:43 -0500

Lot of Draftees went to Vietnam, did their tour (lots without finishing a full tour due to ETS) and came home and were discharged within days of their arrival.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Nov 24 at 2018 10:29 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 10:29:40 -0500

The mission always priority over anything else.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Nov 24 at 2018 10:39 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 10:39:32 -0500

When I was in the USAF we got deployed all the time for various reasons. Usually when we returned if we had less than 6 months we could ask for an early out but there was no guarantee. You signed a contract for a specific period of time. Until the expiration date arrives, you belong to Uncle Sugar.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Nov 24 at 2018 2:54 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 14:54:54 -0500

As other have said "Yes" however, and others please correct me if I'm wrong. there is no longer stop loss which means if you contract is up while deployed you would ETS during deployment so your Unit may decide not to deploy you and have you stay at home station. I actually made out during one deployment as stop loss was in effect and my ETS date occurred during the deployment and I ended up being paid money for my months deployed passed ETS!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2018 6:24 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 18:24:25 -0500

Yes you can but it depends how mush time you have left and the needs of the mission you would probably be processed through premob and depending how long you pre deployment training takes by the time you group is good to go yourtime will be up unless they extend you contract or they ask you to extend or reup

Response by SPC Robert Culbertson made Nov 27 at 2018 4:30 PM

SPC Robert Culbertson — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 16:30:21 -0500

I had eight months left back in the Vietnam Era and was not sent to Vietnam.

Response by CPT T. Scott Haddix made Nov 27 at 2018 10:59 PM

CPT T. Scott Haddix — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 22:59:52 -0500

Yes, you can be extended to meet the needs of the military. Quite often service members are transferred to a non-deploying unit for the end of their enlistment. Just don’t count on this happening.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2018 8:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 08:23:19 -0500

Yes. They Army can even send you on a deployment after you think you're out.

All initial enlistments are for 8 years. You might think you only have a 4 or 6 year contract, but it is really 8 years. (i.e. 4 active duty plus 4 inactive reserve; or 6 active duty plus 2 inactive reserve) If the Army determines you have a skill they need after you REFRAD (get out), they can legally pull you back on active duty. They can also put you on stop loss so you continue on active duty after your scheduled ETS date.

Response by SSG Clint C made Nov 29 at 2018 1:52 PM

SSG Clint C — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:52:34 -0500

Yes, they can deploy you when they have less than a year left when they would return, but they will need to send you back a little early or extend you to be able to let you ACAP.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Dec 3 at 2018 6:42 AM

SSG Shawn Mcfadden — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 06:42:19 -0500

The answer to that is YES. I had 4 soldiers in my platoon that went to Iraq in 2003, and anywhere between 6-8 months into the unit's 1 year tour of duty there, those soldiers left Iraq, back to the states, and then ETS.

Response by SGT Johnny J Berru Jr made Dec 18 at 2018 7:45 AM

SGT Johnny J Berru Jr — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 07:45:12 -0500

Suck it up buttercup..handle it..your enlistment isnt over yet until discharge..as well if you havent met the requirements of the contract you signed..The government may extend you.

Response by MSgt Michael Lane made Dec 31 at 2018 12:14 PM

MSgt Michael Lane — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 12:14:45 -0500

In short yes they can.

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Jan 9 at 2019 8:51 PM

SGT Charles Bartell — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 20:51:52 -0500

Can you say Stop loss. It happens.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2019 10:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 May 2019 22:55:48 -0400

yes they can stop loss make sure save all your leave time