Is soldier development still of importance, or are deployments still the priority, even if I will only be down range for less than 3 months?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 14:20:50 -0400

I’ve heard from my leaders that the Army is now focusing on leader development. So 3 months in deployment they sent me back to the rear for ALC giving the notion that I will not be coming back due to the fact that i will have a few months left of deployment time if they do. Having this impression of not coming back, I put in a packet for follow on schools after ALC and I’m halfway done with the course. I thought this is a once in a lifetime chance because im already down here and there are oppurtunities to go to other military schools like HWLC,MMTC or Ranger especially if your home station is 1k miles away.

My BDE CSM eatablished a cut off date which is before my graduation. My BN CSM then make a little twiking where now, I need to leave for a flight before graduation and so I need some paperwork done to get an early graduation. I’m not crying about myself going down range but I really want to attend follow on schools to be an asset to my unit plus it will really look good on my record and I already have multiple deployments.

Are soldier develoment still of importance or deployments still the priority even if I will only be down range for less than 3 months?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 31 at 2018 2:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 14:30:32 -0400

You have your marching orders from the CSM.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2018 3:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 15:13:10 -0400

There's not much you can do. Things change. I went to ALC when my unit deployed and was told there would be no late deployers. I came back and 1SG told me I was going to deploy. Two days before my flight, my orders got cancelled. They were slowing deployers. I didn't go. But I had withdrawn from a college course because I didn't know where I would be or if I'd have internet. So that sucked. But that's the Army life.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2018 4:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 16:51:12 -0400

There's still a mission to accomplish. The priority is the deployment, and all that development is for deploying in the future. If your attendance at these schools will benefit the unit that much, they can send you when you return.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2018 6:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 18:20:19 -0400

The cut off date was before my course graduation so i wasnt suppose to go anyway

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2018 11:06 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 11:06:24 -0400

Sorry this didn't work out, because logistically it made sense. It would be a discretionary thing. Perhaps your unit thought you'd be value added on the deployment, the primary mission, even for those 3 months - that is a good thing.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Oct 12 at 2018 10:23 AM

LTC John Griscom — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 10:23:33 -0400

Deployment (mission) should come first, unless the course would enhance the unit's capability for the rest of the mission. Have to consider pros and cons.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 30 at 2021 9:27 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:27:48 -0400

if you can't deploy you aren't much good to anyone