How can I volunteer for a deployment (Active Duty Army)?
My career started in the 80s and ran through the first decade of the millennium. I started with Panama, then DS/S, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, OEF, and OIF twice, those are all classified as combat related, that doesn't include all the other various rotations to other locations that qualified for hazardous duty pay, such as Honduras, Turkey x2, and numerous drug interdiction missions during the late 80s and early 90s to many places that officially were not on the books. MPs get sent everywhere that most MOS's never go, they go more places than even Infantry and AB personnel. Hopefully that can help your curiosity on the subject as there are many places I cannot even list as I mentioned as they are not officially on the books except maybe for the sub-level command areas of the Pentagon.
PFC Jones,
I would recommend talking to your NCO support chain. Many unit to unit transfers are set up between CSMs and you have a critical skill that a deploying unit might need. Do a little research and find out what units near you are scheduled for deployment and get the contact information of the senior enlisted member for that unit so that you have the information ready for your CSM.
Not sure about the Army, but in the Air Force, when you request deployment, it is up to your command to agree or deny it (along with a position if they agree). If the BN CC says no dice, my guess is you are pretty much out of luck until 1. BN/CC PCSs, 2. YOU PCS, or 3. Your unit gets deployment orders. Good luck!
Yes, I'm active duty now. I was in Army National Guard for 5.5 years and switched over to active duty. Someone, please direct me to a Deployment.