Need a Break from deployments. What can I do?

2015-02-26T23:36:22-05:00

I am a Fister, who has been constantly deployed and in fourteen years, I have never had a TDA assignment. At this point, I don't think I will. I need a break after four deployments to Iraq and eight NIE's. You train up for Iraq too. I have been to three NTC's and a JRTC. Yet I get nothing from the Army as change when I call.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-05-18T13:38:51-04:00

I sincerely hope you get your break, brother.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 1:50 PM

2015-05-18T13:50:02-04:00

That depends on what you consider a break. You can volunteer for recruiting or apply for something like AWG or school house instructor.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 1:52 PM

2015-05-18T13:52:54-04:00

Someone of your experience should really consider being a SGL for your school house. It's good career progression aswell.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 1:53 PM

2015-05-18T13:53:28-04:00

Drill Sergeant! Not a break, not deployed, rewarding all the same.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 1:57 PM

2015-05-18T13:57:35-04:00

Talk to your branch manager and ask for a TDA assignment. That covers all of what the others are talking about. TDA is TRADOV

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-05-18T13:59:30-04:00

Take control of your own career SFC, trust me, no-one cares about your own career like you do!

Highly recommend calling your branch, work a deal for a school slot (AIT, WLC, ALC Instructor) or recruiter/drill school. The knowledge you have earned throughout your service should be shared with our young troops.

From one multiple deployed NCO to another. Thank you for your efforts.

MSG R.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made May 18 at 2015 1:58 PM

2015-05-18T13:58:23-04:00

I don't have any advice, but want to say Thank-you for your service.

Response by SSG Bruce Sorge made May 18 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-05-18T13:59:41-04:00

You have a lot of options. Recruiting, Drill Sergeant (although you are not home as much), TRADOC (ALC, SLC). I'm sure Ft. Sill is set up how it is here at Benning, so there should be several options available depending on what you want to do. For instance, my company is comprised of mostly 11B, with support MOS's loke commo, NBC and medics. We handle all OSUT for the 11B's on Sand Hill. In each section, we have two to three SFC'c as well as SSG's. Just check with branch to see what's out there. You could also look into NTC or JRTC as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-05-18T14:01:50-04:00

Come be an ait instructor

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:02 PM

2015-05-18T14:02:27-04:00

Holy hell, SFC, you're not kidding about needing some down time.

Others have covered the obvious places you can go, but one most don't consider is a squad/platoon sergeant position at a Warrior Transition Unit. Now, granted, I'm a chaplain assistant at a WTB, so I don't have first-hand experience, but all my guys love what they do and the hours are pretty consistent.

Response by SGT James Elphick made May 18 at 2015 2:22 PM

2015-05-18T14:22:07-04:00

I have a good friend who was in your position, same rank, and combat arms (infantry). He called up his branch and worked out a deal to be an ROTC NCO. It's a 3 year stint, much less field time, he does have about 2 months of summer training to attend but the rest of the time he is home at night, working more regular hours, and isn't being burnt out by the Army. Also, Cadet Command is trying to up their stature to make those slots good for career advancement (he says it already is, I don't have much info though).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:28 PM

2015-05-18T14:28:16-04:00

Recruiter/ drill/ ROTC/ joint assignment (SOUTHCOM/NORTHCOM), training division (75th/86th etc).

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made May 18 at 2015 2:33 PM

2015-05-18T14:33:57-04:00

Go to Drill Sergeant School

Response by SGT Jeanine Mezei made May 18 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-05-18T14:59:49-04:00

Have you heard of a defense attaché? You get to work at an embassy and it would be a break from deploying. Lots of travel and culture, too. Just Google it and you can find the POC for the program.

Response by SPC Larry Boutwell made May 18 at 2015 3:07 PM

2015-05-18T15:07:22-04:00

Lol part of the reason ima civi now.

Response by MSG Martin C. made May 18 at 2015 4:41 PM

2015-05-18T16:41:08-04:00

I did both details Recruiting and DS with a deployments in between and before. I don't think I could have stayed for this long without those breaks. I personally enjoyed DS duty more than anything I have ever done in my career. Good luck and I wish you the best.

Response by SFC Walt Littleton made May 18 at 2015 4:56 PM

2015-05-18T16:56:25-04:00

Back when I was in the UPTEMPO was nothing like what it has been for you guys. My first assignment was a TDA unit in Okinawa, Japan. I thought that was the Army. It was great, no weapons, no formations, no PT and no TA50. Then I was sent to the 101st. It was the best thing that ever happened in my career. I had good leaders that mentored me, gave me a shot and learned what leadership was and meant. I got the bug and spent many years volunteering for those tough leadership jobs. Anyway I had been away from my MOS for awhile and I called branch to get me back to the school as and instructor. It worked well almost. I was sent to the school brigade at Ft Gordon and due to my experience I was flagged and sent to the training brigade as an AIT Platoon Sergeant. It was brutal, 4am-6pm. Just watching the transformation of young people's attitudes and professionalism is a great motivator. I was the last platoon sergeant before the drills came in to replace us. I think the Army is going back to this concept. One of my best assignments to actually see what your leadership has accomplished. Good Luck

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 18 at 2015 5:44 PM

2015-05-18T17:44:07-04:00

Volunteer for duty as a Recruiter, as an instructor, Korea, Fort Irwin, or Fort Polk.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made May 18 at 2015 5:48 PM

2015-05-18T17:48:04-04:00

SFC, I emphasize with you. However, I'm not sure there is such a thing as a break. Sometimes, I think my family life took a bigger hit when I was a Drill Sergeant. Being here at the homeland, and not having time for the family was a tougher pill to swallow than me being deployed where was absence was expected. Being a Sr. NCO, you already know the special duties you can volunteer for. I did a couple a couple of them. They're demanding. There were days I'd rather have deployed.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 18 at 2015 5:47 PM

2015-05-18T17:47:44-04:00

Two things to consider...it appears the World is changing and we could be looking at slower tempo for a while...yes, I know this is a dangerous assumption and what they say about assuming, but that is what the horizon looks like?

IF you want to get a break from deployment, you could consider volunteering for Recruiting BUT it is not a break, just a break from deploying. IF you do ask for something like this...be very careful what you ask for?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 5:57 PM

2015-05-18T17:57:15-04:00

It's called sacrifice. Some of us more than others but u don't ask for rewards because it's ur job an if u volunteered for any deployments u can't count them as being used. Me personally have been deployed 13 times desert storm 2, Iraq 4, an afghan 4 an some others to other countries. What do I want? To retire an know that Im safe now

Response by SSG Robert Blair made May 18 at 2015 6:01 PM

2015-05-18T18:01:44-04:00

Anyone here above me in the ranks or has had this experience can correct if I'm wrong, but the ARMY needs E7's all over. A few E7's that I've known led me to believe they would just find a unit they were interest in and call. After something like an interview with a MSG, 1SG or SMG, they'd have have orders to that unit. Some even went to a 1SG position And then made E8 a little faster
Hope that helps SFC. Good Luck!

Response by SGT Rick Ash made May 18 at 2015 7:57 PM

2015-05-18T19:57:54-04:00

SFC Rhoades,

First, you look so damned sharp in your dress uniform, Congratulations.

Only 6 years to go and you need to stay here in the "Lower 48". ( I ETS'd at Fort Bliss. Worked as Commander, Night Shift up War RD at 1/7 ADA Tobin Wells )

Here is what I think will work. First find your Regional VA rep from your hometown. Have them get you assigned to a SVC OFC (Service Officer) This should take just a day or two. Be ready to submit your letter about your circumstance and be ready to send along your DD214 copy. Register for an account on eBenefits.org, it might help you track your formal request. Tell the service officer what you told us, it should have some impact.

You in your uniform makes me proud of Army Strong!

Response by SSG Jason Neumann made May 18 at 2015 9:03 PM

2015-05-18T21:03:10-04:00

SFC Rhoades,

Since you are at Fort Bliss, have you tried to get in touch with Joint Task Force North? This would possibly help out and be a break from deployments. They do training with numerous federal agencies. I tried to contact them, but they do not have 11B slots in their MTOE. There might be an opportunity working at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in the R&D unit. One avenue you could venture is the Career Tracker on AKO. There you can research some slots where your MOS has slots opening up. Best of luck.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 19 at 2015 1:07 AM

2015-05-19T01:07:28-04:00

Talk to your chain of command about the sistuation.

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made May 19 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-05-19T11:06:10-04:00

SERE instructor, if that's available to you, might not be a bad option. You can use a lot of your knowledge base for training Soldiers for the worst possible circumstances. SERE is no joke.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 12:40 PM

2015-05-19T12:40:58-04:00

So I deployed multiple times to Iraq and did a stint in Bosnia. I can tell you, that sucked. I also have been to Korea for a tour (great time if you take the time to get to know the people, food and customs).

I did a TDA job at FORSCOM after all that. SFC, I can tell you that besides my stint in Korea, the time at a line unit was the best of my career. I haven't had the chance to be a drill, instructor or recruiter but working in an office, while sounding nice, is the most non-fulfilling job in the Army. My only good time at FORSCOM was when I was TDY mentoring and coaching young Warrant Officers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 8:58 PM

2015-05-29T20:58:33-04:00

I feel your pain.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made May 29 at 2015 10:56 PM

2015-05-29T22:56:48-04:00

You could try to become your branch manager....Those guys NEVER deploy, and seem to never miss a promotion list....Man, now we know....Mad Sammich making skills!

Response by SPC John Levine made May 31 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-05-31T10:00:01-04:00

Get pregnant.....worked for a lot of people in my unit.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Sep 24 at 2017 3:55 PM

2017-09-24T15:55:57-04:00

Become a Special Agent CIC. I remember a SP5 that was one and was scooped up into the 199th at Benning when we were getting ready to deploy to a restricted area in SE Asia. No more civilian clothes, no USGI Colt Cobra and no unmarked car. No more spend his duty days in bars on the lookout for SAEDA. He let everyone know he was a controlled MOS and not subject to OJT as an 11B10. He finally got up with someone in DC and got pulled from C 4/12 and back to his life of looking for Soviet agents. Worked for him! LOL