Is there a limit to how long you can do one tour, because I heard someone say they did 15 months in one tour?

Will Boyd — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 04:47:53 -0500

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Feb 21 at 2018 5:15 AM

CPT Andrew Wright — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 05:15:33 -0500

Back during the surge in Iraq several units got extended to fifteen months. The goal was to raise troop strength to over 100K. My unit with the Texas National Guard was one of those units along with many Active Component units. The only limit is the requirements of Army leadership.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Feb 21 at 2018 6:30 AM

SGT Eric Davis — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 06:30:47 -0500

When I deployed I knew people that did years overseas but most of them volunteered to stay with another unit and with their command approval; the most I heard of a single unit doing a deployment was around 15-18 months. So you can actually stay there a while

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 7:05 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 07:05:08 -0500

I assume you are talking about a combat deployment, not an "overseas tour." There is no limit on combat deployments. Typically they have been for a year. That's not mandated in law, regulation or policy. There are restrictions on National Guard and Reserve call-up though.

Response by COL John Hudson made Feb 21 at 2018 7:07 AM

COL John Hudson — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 07:07:01 -0500

Depends. I did a back-to-back 18 months in Vietnam...then two 20 month tours in Iraq. If you're deployed and want to extend, then put in your request as soon as it's acceptable. Guidance to me at the time of my deployments was that I could request an extension at six months and one day (Day #181) - but that was probably local policy. Easiest way is to stay close to Personnel and determine the "extension" guidance for your particular tour.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 7:58 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 07:58:29 -0500

Will-There are several reasons for extensions; some involuntary, others voluntary. At one point during OEF, different services had different "tour lengths", and all of the above changes with the needs of the Service.

My unit in Afghanistan was on 12 month orders, but was offering individual extension...I believe one guy did two tours back to back, though that was admittedly rare.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 9:37 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 09:37:16 -0500

Some Soldier's stayed in the middle east for seven years or more (voluntarily). During the initial invasion 18 months for OIF 1 was common.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Feb 21 at 2018 9:51 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 09:51:14 -0500

During Desert storm my tour in Korea was extended from 12 months to 15 and again in OIF several units had their 12 month tours extended to 15 months. There is a lot that goes into the decision to extend tours, mostly depends on mission load and unit availability.

Response by 1SG Joseph Yorski, MHS made Feb 21 at 2018 10:06 AM

1SG Joseph Yorski, MHS — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 10:06:19 -0500

It happened. Back at the end of OIF-1(April 2004-ish) a number of 1AD units were turned around from heading home after a full year on the ground and sent back into the fight. HUGE morale killer for a lot of folks who were already spent and had washed, turned over/in their vehicles, gear, and even body armor(there wasn't enough IBA to go around back then). Had our company not partially left for home already, we would have been in the same boat.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 10:12 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 10:12:30 -0500

Well, this depends on what the situation is.
If it is a declared war then Soldiers could stay for the duration of the conflict plus whatever length of time Uncle Sam determines is appropriate to stabilize the situation.
In current and recent operations, Congress authorized the President to deploy Reserve Component troops for up to two years at a time, although it hasn't happened to my knowledge. AC troops could hypothetically stay longer than they have, but most rotations (in the Army) were between 9 and 12 months. The Combatant Commander makes this call. USMC and USAF deployments have been somewhat shorter.
I myself have done four deployments, and they were 8, 14, 13, and 10 months in length.
My coworker right next to me was in the MN NG during the surge, and they got stuck being activated for 22 months as their luck had the timing just so. 17 months of that was in-country.

Response by SSgt Lawrence Wereb made Feb 21 at 2018 1:32 PM

SSgt Lawrence Wereb — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 13:32:33 -0500

The saying when I was in was"AF needs come first". So yes, some get screwed based on situations.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Feb 21 at 2018 1:34 PM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 13:34:09 -0500

I'll feel a lot more sorry for you when you've done a 9-month WestPAC at sea.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Feb 21 at 2018 1:54 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 13:54:48 -0500

That will depend on the situation with very little to go on, I had some a year ago ask if I would take on their assignment, when ask it was Africa for 18 months. With that i decided not at that time, not enough time, nor you with AREA of expertise. It can be 12, 18, or longer; you have not given the group enough information of job.

Response by SPC David Willis made Feb 21 at 2018 1:59 PM

SPC David Willis — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 13:59:38 -0500

Its also important to note you wont be expected to do 15 months straight. Unless something goes horribly wrong you'll get roughly 2-3 weeks at some point in the deployment that doesn't go against your leave and they will fly you to your destination WHERE EVER that is, so many people would use it to go to Italy or Ireland or other places they had always wanted to go. Basically a free vacation... if your definition of free involves giving up a year of your life to get shot at haha.

Response by SGT Roland McHoes made Feb 21 at 2018 5:35 PM

SGT Roland McHoes — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:35:50 -0500

My last deployment was to Iraq with the 10th Mountain, Aug 2007-Nov 2008. Been out for 8 years now so I have no idea what's changed.

Response by SSG Alan Pelletier made Feb 21 at 2018 7:01 PM

SSG Alan Pelletier — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 19:01:13 -0500

My unit (172nd Stryker Brigade) was extended and my total deployment was 16 months from start to finish. Mid-tour leave was not removed from anyone so for me personally was a total of 15 months on that specific deployment. My other deployments were 1 year with mid-tour.
The point; "Mission comes first."

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Feb 22 at 2018 5:36 AM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 05:36:21 -0500

Boyd,
During my first tour to Iraq, I overheard of units doing up to 18 months...most of them National Guard. Whether that been true or not, I can't really confirm, but I think it is depends on the situation such as the big surge in Iraq.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 22 at 2018 12:47 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 12:47:24 -0500

A tour is normally between 6-12 months, but DA/DOD can extend it for as long as they need to. Their have been some 15 month tours due to OPTEMPO.

Response by PO1 Scott Dykema made Mar 11 at 2018 7:17 PM

PO1 Scott Dykema — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 19:17:08 -0400

Needs of the command.