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I recently volunteered for an upcoming mobilization with a National Guard unit and I have a few questions. I'll be 19 in August, I've got no kids or girlfriend, and I want to deploy.
1. Because I am in the reserves, would I have to transfer to the guard myself to be mobilized with that guard unit?
2. Would it be appropriate to email the company commander (I obtained the application page for the deployment on TourOfDuty) and show my interest?
3. What is the best thing I can hope for from deploying if I get picked up?
4. what are your best stories from deployments?
All responses are appreciated.
1. Because I am in the reserves, would I have to transfer to the guard myself to be mobilized with that guard unit?
2. Would it be appropriate to email the company commander (I obtained the application page for the deployment on TourOfDuty) and show my interest?
3. What is the best thing I can hope for from deploying if I get picked up?
4. what are your best stories from deployments?
All responses are appreciated.
Posted in these groups: 
DeploymentMobilization/Deployment Planning
12W: Carpentry and Masonry Specialist
Engineer
DeploymentMobilization/Deployment Planning 12W: Carpentry and Masonry Specialist Engineer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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1. no transfer, you would remain assigned to your current USAR and receive a COTTAD order to deploy with the guard unit.
2. You could email the CO, but he's probably not directly involved in the TOD approval process.
3. the best thing you can do on this deployment is:
a. save money, then buy a sensible, affordable car when you get back, no payments, a new affordable laptop, and keep the rest in savings for when you really need it.
b. complete as many college courses online that you have time for.
2. You could email the CO, but he's probably not directly involved in the TOD approval process.
3. the best thing you can do on this deployment is:
a. save money, then buy a sensible, affordable car when you get back, no payments, a new affordable laptop, and keep the rest in savings for when you really need it.
b. complete as many college courses online that you have time for.
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Interesting question @PFC Wakeem Price ... We actually had a USAR Soldier deploy with our National Guard unit when I served in the Sinai, Egypt with the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) in 2009-2010. So it can be done, you just have to get your mobilization orders processed. It's more like an individual mobilization, but you'll be tagging along with the unit's deployment and training timelines. Not sure of the whole process, but I'd say that you will be able to do it without transferring to the Guard.
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I've seen Reservists use Tour of Duty to get on deployments, they don't leave the Reserves they just get orders attaching them to whichever unit.
You should reach out to the unit.
You're a PFC that may deploy, you'll likely make SPC, stack your rack a bit, and get more experience then you would on regular drills. You should also use it as an opportunity to save money and learn tasks outside of your MOS.
You should reach out to the unit.
You're a PFC that may deploy, you'll likely make SPC, stack your rack a bit, and get more experience then you would on regular drills. You should also use it as an opportunity to save money and learn tasks outside of your MOS.
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SPC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) -
1) If you do get deployed, track your metrics. That's very important to your impact and end of tour awards. Your NCO's are going to be busy doing a lot of stuff so they're not going to be able to track how many hours you put into a task, what extra duties you take on, what things you accomplish.
Few leaders tell juniors to track this information because one it's a leader responsibility, and two it's not your job to worry about an award. To a point I agree, but this is also your career. Don't be a ribbon hunter, but set yourself up for success.
2) Depending on where you deploy will change the factors of a lot of things. If you're going to the Middle East, Kuwait for example, plan on no or crappy internet. You may want to bring a laptop and hard drive with you filled with movies and games for your down time. A lot of guys say, "Well I have Netflix or Prime so I'm set". That only works if your internet isn't total trash, and in the Middle East it's total trash.
Get Whatsapp before you leave the U.S., it's a useful tool for communication but can only be setup when you have access to a cell tower that works with your sim.
Plan on your sim not working overseas.
3) Utilize the Army Direct Ordering (ADO) system setup by your Supply while. This will allow you to order uniform items, many of which you will not have to return such as FRACU OCP's. In the Guard and Reserve this is especially useful because how often is Supply just going to have uniforms and stuff for you? They're not.
That said, plan on how you're going to get your extra bought gear, deployment trinkets, and crap home. You only get so much space in your duffels and they're already loaded up with gear you probably won't use but have to have just in case. Many Soldiers obtain a tough box and mail it home, this will cost upwards of $100 - $200 and take minimum four weeks but is useful to make sure you get your goodies home.
Don't buy too much crap and don't let the local merchants sucker you. A lot of guys, myself included have bought some kind of trinket like a unit morale flag or an "insert operation" prayer rug and the like and that's fine. Just be aware that a lot of the stuff they sell is overpriced like the chess boards, tea sets, jewelry boxes, etc that you think family members might like. For example knew a guy that wanted to get a silver plated camel jewelry box for his girlfriend, $200 at the bazaar, $20 on the way out of the country at the local shoppette at the airport.
1) If you do get deployed, track your metrics. That's very important to your impact and end of tour awards. Your NCO's are going to be busy doing a lot of stuff so they're not going to be able to track how many hours you put into a task, what extra duties you take on, what things you accomplish.
Few leaders tell juniors to track this information because one it's a leader responsibility, and two it's not your job to worry about an award. To a point I agree, but this is also your career. Don't be a ribbon hunter, but set yourself up for success.
2) Depending on where you deploy will change the factors of a lot of things. If you're going to the Middle East, Kuwait for example, plan on no or crappy internet. You may want to bring a laptop and hard drive with you filled with movies and games for your down time. A lot of guys say, "Well I have Netflix or Prime so I'm set". That only works if your internet isn't total trash, and in the Middle East it's total trash.
Get Whatsapp before you leave the U.S., it's a useful tool for communication but can only be setup when you have access to a cell tower that works with your sim.
Plan on your sim not working overseas.
3) Utilize the Army Direct Ordering (ADO) system setup by your Supply while. This will allow you to order uniform items, many of which you will not have to return such as FRACU OCP's. In the Guard and Reserve this is especially useful because how often is Supply just going to have uniforms and stuff for you? They're not.
That said, plan on how you're going to get your extra bought gear, deployment trinkets, and crap home. You only get so much space in your duffels and they're already loaded up with gear you probably won't use but have to have just in case. Many Soldiers obtain a tough box and mail it home, this will cost upwards of $100 - $200 and take minimum four weeks but is useful to make sure you get your goodies home.
Don't buy too much crap and don't let the local merchants sucker you. A lot of guys, myself included have bought some kind of trinket like a unit morale flag or an "insert operation" prayer rug and the like and that's fine. Just be aware that a lot of the stuff they sell is overpriced like the chess boards, tea sets, jewelry boxes, etc that you think family members might like. For example knew a guy that wanted to get a silver plated camel jewelry box for his girlfriend, $200 at the bazaar, $20 on the way out of the country at the local shoppette at the airport.
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