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Individuals who dedicate their lives to any public service organization/department, will not feel satisfied until they have seen the good, the bad and the ugly parts of their perform duties. A firefighter will feel unfulfilled until he/she has put out a fire, a cop will feel the same, till he/she makes her first arrest. Many soldiers feel incomplete without having experienced first-hand what it is like to serve overseas. NTC, only does so much as mock scenarios go and it is great training, but a deployment fully immersed in nothing but soldiers getting in the field and getting their feet wet in all-hazard training. With all the hullabaloo, about slick sleeves and veterans, why not have a continuous cycle of personnel on overseas duty stations, minimum 6 mos. at a time for reservists and National Guard soldiers. With the campaigns winding down and the Army becoming smaller, these soldiers will have less and less opportunities to serve. I am aware that state and federal budgeting is a conflict and our country's trillion dollar debt crisis is definitely an impediment but if it were possible? Should it be done?
Deployment
Army Reserve
Training Soldiers
Army National Guard
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 120
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I agree with some of what you say, because I want to deploy for some of the same reasons. But I wouldn't force people to do it, we have mediocre hearts already poisoning our ranks, it would just give people more of a reason not to do their best, maybe with the new people coming in it would weed out the people who are doing it for the wrong reason. But who determines what the right motive is? And numbers wise I think, with some Mos', not every cyber tech or even hr rep would even be needed but they are needed stateside. I think SFC (maybe in SSG) and up and officers should at some poiny because it will make them better leaders.
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I don't know about "Required" but I would highly encourage it. Let them experience other cultures, Make them better "World Citizens", Make them better salesman of our Country. Take them out of their "Comfort Zones" and really learn about other people outside this Country.
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No, while I agree with many of the reason put forth. There are personnel who join for various reason who have no place in combat.
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LTC Stephen Conway
just as those who join and ending up taking isoporyl alcohol in basic to try get out. I saw that in my training bn when I was an E-4 going to OSUT basic/AIT IN 1994.
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The experiences i had of training and 3 deployments totalling over 3 years makes way more difference to guys like me that were use to Garrison or active duty for schools/MOSQ or our 2 week/ 3 week AT summer training . The irony of all this sequestration is that we will be deployed more since the active component cannot sustain the war effort without us. I think the 39 day mobilization requirement from call-up request to boots- on- the ground will be more a reality in our hollow-active-army-in-the -making especially if we cut back on the retirement benefits as we have seen all over RP discussions. We want to buy gee-wiz joint strike fighters instead of keeping A-10 Warthogs to protect the guys on the ground. The money of just making 6 less F-35 fighters that can go supercruise...mach 1 could fund a year's worth of leaving the retirement system as it is...
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LTC Stephen Conway
my facts on the fighters being this http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/f-35-costs-182-million-to-299-million-per-plane/ I am an aviation nut but I am not unamerican to want a few less F-35S and a few more revamped A-10s that can kill enemy danger-close and fly slow and take 25mm rounds from the ground and still fly with no hydraulics working with a meter of its wing shot off and make it back to base or at least get back far enough to be rescued by the PJs..
F-35 Costs $182 Million to $299 Million Per Plane
Nobody gets the airplane they wanted but at least they're paying more for the one they're getting.
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SSG Katherine Likely
I was in Germany for 30 days, in Korea 60 days, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraqi - where the curds were for 6 months. I enjoyed my employments overseas and the 7 full deployments i did stateside including noble eagle 1. But, i saw a lot of people who should still have been left at home - they made it hard on everyone else - picking up your load is one thing but adding the slackers load to your is bad enough - but, i really hated the whiners.
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Should they, yes. Must they, no. What I do want to see is all of those that are not deployable be removed from the services. Other than Soldiers that are not deployable due to combat injuries (I feel they earned a pass) these people should meet the standards of deployability or lose their position. I do feel that a deployment adds greatly to one's experience. Last CSM we had never deployed in over 30 years and I just didn't have as much respect for the individual. Just my opinion
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1LT (Join to see)
Great comment!! Just beCuse you're on the sideline doesn't mean you shouldn't be ready to play when it's time. I'm sick of soldiers milking the military for pay.
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MAJ Scott Meehan
Some soldiers just need the appropriate amount of training before being sent directly into a combat zone. Doing so could get them or those around them killed.
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Every Soldier should be deployable - that does not mean that every Soldier will deploy. A deployment brings experience and perspective to the operating environments that are always in flux and changing as doctrine and world events change. Some Soldiers are not afforded the opportunity to deploy based upon assignment; MOS; luck (good or bad); conditions at home; changing world events; etc.
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I remember, back in the mid 80's there were a few Vietnam Vets in my unit, 4/8 INF (M) in Mannhein, FRG. And me and a friend of mine thought it would be so cool to have a "Combat Patch", That right sleeve seemed so empty. Well about 4 years later I was earning mine in DS/DS and realized that a "Combat Patch" was not "Cool", it was so much more, it was a symbol of honor for me, it was an honor to serve my country when my name was called. The truth is that yeah it does make you feel complete, like the firefighter and the police officer afet their first fire or arrest (did some of those to as an MP). That being said its not for everybody, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be called up. You're a soldier, when you signed up you knew there was a possibility of combat. After saying all of that yes they should be deployed, not saying they all should do patrols, but deploy? Yes
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As the needs of the service dictates. Has nothing to do with the individual solider, everything to do with the needs of the Army and the Commander of the deployed units. In my day - admittedly long ago - it was as simple as "you will proceed on or about dd mmm yyyy to point of departure. You will be assigned to C Company 1st Infantry. See attached pre-reporting requirements and instructions".....went to Oakland, turned in my issue, got my brand spanking new jungle fatigues and kit.....stepped off the plane in Vietnam, saw a dude with a 1st Infantry patch and off we went to enjoy the next 12 months meeting exciting unusual people, in exotic scenery and getting shot at and shooting back...No body asked me as an 11C20 if it was convenient, fit my plans or any of that crap. Sargent - grab your sh_t and let's move out....
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Speaking for myself and for many of the career soldiers I have known that retired after 20 years and did not serve in a combat zone, these soldiers also referred to as the Cold War era, do feel a little slighted at not being in the right place at the right time. But, being a career soldier of 25 years and only serving in a combat zone after 23 years of service 75-98 and missing so many opportunities because of location of assignments, supporting missions, or just the need of the Army, I felt very cheated when I first retired. To me it equated exactly to a Fireman who never put out fire or a policeman who never hit the streets. To feel that I never put my trade into practice, "if I was as good as I thought I was", was a hard thing to come to terms with. It wasn't until 2008 when I was recalled that I served in a capacity that brought piece to me. But, to answer that question it would be unrealistic to put into practice because of the mission and the requirements needed in so many locations. Each person has to decide within themselves if they feel fulfilled and if their calling to serve was met.
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