Is it true that it is harder for Officers to volunteer for deployments? If so, how could one increase their chances to deploy?

2017-09-13T14:49:59-04:00

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 13 at 2017 2:56 PM

2017-09-13T14:56:51-04:00

Are you asking as NG, Reserve or Active duty officer.
Active duty wise, I think you will find almost no ability to "volunteer" (I would say zero, but anything is possible, and a critical shortage in unit A on post of CMF XX which you are branched, and your unit on post is excess, its possible to do an inter post transfer... Seen it done with enlisted a few times, but never an officer...yet still "possible"

I'll let NG and reserve SME's advise on officer volunteering possibilities.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2017 3:26 PM

2017-09-13T15:26:04-04:00

I would say if you are reserve, you need to find out who the mob officer is in your RSG and contact him. There was a time you could contact the mob officer and get picked up for a mission within weeks but I am sure things have slowed down allot since the draw down in 2014.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2017 4:06 PM

2017-09-13T16:06:53-04:00

As for the National Guard:

In the guard I've reached out to the Brigade S-1 and even the Brigade commander of deploying units and asked them directly what their needs were. If they need you, they can likely make it happen. However, when I did that I wasn't assigned to a unit per se. You'd want to be careful to not leave your unit short an officer if they need you more than the deploying unit. But as a cadet that hasn't commissioned yet, if a unit from your state is deploying soon, you should be able to talk to someone prior to commissioning and commission straight into a spot that will deploy. If there is one.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2017 4:31 PM

2017-09-13T16:31:02-04:00

I cannot speak for Army officers, but it is relatively easy for Navy officers to initiate a telephone call to the appropriate officer detailer.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2017 4:39 PM

2017-09-13T16:39:27-04:00

As for the reserves it totally depends on your branch assigned strength. I've been cross leveled for mobilization's twice as an engineer, but in terms of volunteering I've never been deployed through a voluntary action (volunteered five times, only succeeded once). The only real way to volunteer is to find out which units are mobilizing and network your way into that unit, which normally is done a year in advance. If the units are full up on officer's you won't be able to volunteer at all.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2017 4:50 PM

2017-09-13T16:50:29-04:00

This is a two sided question. I'd like to know more.//// For the questions face value have the Officer contact HRC and inform the Branch manager that you want to deploy. ARCENT and EUCOM have open positions routinely. Getting into a rotational BCT may be more of a challenge since the higher echelon HQs will select the top officers and enlisted for their organizations.

Response by COL John McClellan made Sep 14 at 2017 8:35 AM

2017-09-14T08:35:53-04:00

Ask your cadre about the "patch chart," then put in for assignment in a BCT that is on it!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 4:33 PM

2017-09-14T16:33:27-04:00

In the RC you have some options. There is no way I'm aware of in the ARNG to simply identify yourself as volunteering for mobilization. I can't really speak for the USAR. However, if a Battalion is deploying (some missions like the MFO and HOA missions are BN level) and is short on officers they will probably ask for volunteers before pulling from the rest of the Brigade. My state also has a section on their website where they list individual mobilization opportunities. Our aviation brigade was the last one to do so, they were in Iraq last year. There is also what's called Tour of Duty. It's a part of the MOBCOP system. Occasionally positions within deploying units will be advertised. I've seen Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia all advertised on there. You then apply and the gaining unit selects their preferred candidate. They're not going to be the "cool guy" jobs you're probably wanting. All of them have been staff so far.

If a deployment is your goal, here's my recommendation: Commission AC and Combat Arms. Go to as many schools as you can and attempt to get into a unit in the 18th Airborne Corps. Whether you go anywhere or not is the luck of the draw, but it'll put you in a good position to do so.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Sep 15 at 2017 9:30 PM

2017-09-15T21:30:27-04:00

As a reserve officer, I volunteered for and got 3 deployments. It can be challenging to work through the process. If you are in a reserve unit, the chain of command ultimately has to approve the deployment. There are several factors that go into that. Are you in a critical position where your deployment could adversely affect the unit? You probably would not get approved. If you are in an over-strength position, it would be more likely. Also, I would surmise that if you are in an MTOE unit vs. a training unit, it would be more difficult. If you want to deploy after your BOLC, go to Army's Tour of Duty site. This is essentially a job bank for reserve and NG Soldiers to see what is available for active duty tours. You can sort it by rank and MOS. You can apply for deployments there but the approval still gets routed through your chain of command. My advice to you though is to not worry about a deployment. You need to development your professional skills as a junior officer in whatever component and branch you enter.