Should I go on my first deployment, or stay in Italy?

2017-08-03T08:08:27-04:00

I'm a Reservist, and I am currently on a tour here in Italy. The orders end right before FY18, but I was offered an extension until FY19. I also received an offer to go on my first deployment (which is really important to me, because I firmly believe all NCOs should have one) and it'll involve travelling between Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. I will transfer to AD upon REFRAD of either assignment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 8:24 AM

2017-08-03T08:24:26-04:00

From what I hear being stationed in Italy is a pretty good assignment, it should provide lots of travel and cultural opportunities. The same can be said if you take up the deployment opportunity. If you are looking to get promoted and stay in for a bit the deployment might be the better option.

All NCO’s do not need to be deployed, to be effective leaders. I strongly believe that a Soldier must go if they are called to do so and do everything possible to ensure that you are ready to go if called on to do so. I have deployed twice and learned a great deal about Soldiers, the Army and myself in those two years. Before making a decision take some time and consider each option, and think about how it will affect you and your family.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Aug 3 at 2017 8:38 AM

2017-08-03T08:38:07-04:00

Stay in Italy and enjoy life. Frankly, deployments suck and the Army has a bad habit of treating Reservists and National Guardsman like convicts during train-up for deployments (General Order Number One). Another deployment opportunity will most likely come after your current tour. Best of Luck!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 3 at 2017 8:49 AM

2017-08-03T08:49:06-04:00

Read the thread and see the opinions based on varied personal experiences. If you're looking for a career, diversity in experience and willingness to go the extra mile gets noticed. Yes there can be some "suck". I went from E-4 to O-1 and my choice was Fallon, NV or Antarctica. Glad to this day I took the long haul option.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 8:56 AM

2017-08-03T08:56:22-04:00

I would ask what are you doing now MOS wise and what would you be doing on this deployment MOS wise. Which will enhance your learning in that MOS, I deployed to Afghanistan then we moved the last month to Kuwait, really did not perform my MOS much at all.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 9:05 AM

2017-08-03T09:05:02-04:00

Did you join the army for fun, travel and adventure? Italy is fun, it's traveling but it's not adventure.

Response by SGT Catherine Talento made Aug 3 at 2017 10:18 AM

2017-08-03T10:18:16-04:00

Since it sounds like the offer to deploy is a maybe but the chance to stay in Italy is a definite I would stay in Italy. For me, if the offer to reply was solid as in I knew they needed my MOS and it was open then I would take it. Since it is just a chance to deploy there is too much grey area. Stay in Italy and look for an opportunity to deploy after 2019. Another piece of advice, deployments aren't just combat assignments. Before 2001 when people talked about replying it was to the Sinai, Kuwait, Egypt, Bosnia so don't get hung up on you needing a "deployment" the opportunities will come.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Aug 3 at 2017 10:20 AM

2017-08-03T10:20:29-04:00

Weren 't you ever taught that you never, ever, volunteer for anything in the military? When you wake up in the morning, take a good look around you. Notice the trees, women, cut grass, women, the friendly people, women, regular duty hours, women, the great sidewalk cafes, women. You will NOT see any of those things in the sandbox. Trust me, I did three deployments into it, they all sucked. Stay in Italy and enjoy life, serving your country in Europe.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 10:24 AM

2017-08-03T10:24:55-04:00

Well, you certainly have some great options to mull over. But, I think you already answered your own question when you stated that all NCOs should have a deployment.

Response by LTC Tj Shea made Aug 3 at 2017 10:50 AM

2017-08-03T10:50:57-04:00

go. Its great expereince and its a year of tax free income

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2017 11:19 AM

2017-08-03T11:19:47-04:00

Stay in Italy. Deploy some other time. You will get deployment opportunities more often than you think, traveling around Europe or Italy and learning about their culture is a chance of a lifetime. Plus you can travel to other countries in Europe while there as well, once you deploy you won't get many opportunities to see anything other than tents, and soldiers.....

Response by SPC Bradford Bolden made Aug 3 at 2017 11:33 AM

2017-08-03T11:33:17-04:00

Go kn in my opinion but always do what's right for you.

Response by MSgt Larry Panigot made Aug 3 at 2017 12:09 PM

2017-08-03T12:09:34-04:00

You are asking if you should get experience?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 3 at 2017 12:56 PM

2017-08-03T12:56:12-04:00

Take it.

Response by SGT David T. made Aug 3 at 2017 1:11 PM

2017-08-03T13:11:05-04:00

Hmmmm CENTCOM AOR or Italy...choices choices...I would choose Italy personally. I would have chose that when I was still in. The sandbox wasn't all that amusing. Stale cookies, crappy coffee, among other things. Not to mention a lifetime hangover from it. Of course the choice is yours. You need to do what is right for you.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 3 at 2017 3:27 PM

2017-08-03T15:27:11-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member If I were in your shoes today knowing what I know now after serving for 37 years - take the deployment opportunity!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2017 5:23 AM

2017-08-04T05:23:45-04:00

Well if its important to you then do it. Why ask a question if you already truly know what you want. Set yourself up for success and gain the experience from the deployment

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2017 10:28 AM

2017-08-04T10:28:28-04:00

do the deployment !!!!!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2017 10:37 AM

2017-08-04T10:37:11-04:00

It sounds like you already made up your mind. Italy is a great experience but a deployment can teach you things about yourself that you can't get at home. While its always a risk to deploy to these areas, this is what we train for. It will only make you a better soldier and leader if you go. Just make sure you are mentally prepared for everything that goes with it. Many Soldiers these days do everything they can to get out of deploying so I applaud you for wanting to lace up your boots and go.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2017 4:42 AM

2017-08-05T04:42:43-04:00

Heavy question, do what's good for you brother. I might have a chance to go out f country next year, I'm going to take it if I can because I think it would be good for me. Good for my career and good for me to experience more.

If you think going to Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan will improve you do it. Also, standing still doesn't help your career. I've learned that lesson the hard way, now I'm making up for it. So don't stand still and do what's good for you. Good luck!

Response by SSG Mike Jackson made Aug 5 at 2017 2:20 PM

2017-08-05T14:20:43-04:00

It's all about the points as a reservist. They're is no MIN or MAX points to achieve 20 good years (50pts min makes a good year)... so I ask you; did you know one year of active duty (365pts) is equal to five years in the selected reserves? So for future planning only, just supposing you end up the common goal of 4,000 points in a USAR/ARNG typical career.. that will give you about 25% of base pay of the pay-grade held upon going on the retired reserve list... so you can use today's pay scales to see that amount in current dollars.
It's good time and territory management to take as many active opportunities and keep those points accumulating for as long as you can hold the mustard.

Response by PFC Gary Lamb made Aug 11 at 2017 10:07 AM

2017-08-11T10:07:12-04:00

If your orders come down to DEPLOY,YOU DEPLOY.There shouldent be a question about it.You volunteered to be a SOLDIER,SO GO BE A SOLDIER AND DO YOUR JOB!OR GET OUT WHEN IT'S TIME TO ETS.

Response by MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2017 5:27 PM

2017-08-11T17:27:40-04:00

Deploy!

Response by SSG Jacen Black made Aug 12 at 2017 8:17 AM

2017-08-12T08:17:58-04:00

Well first, I'm going to say congrats on being in Italy. Second, what is your mos?

Response by TSgt Hepolito Flores made Aug 15 at 2017 5:18 PM

2017-08-15T17:18:17-04:00

Go for it

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2017 8:25 PM

2017-08-27T20:25:59-04:00

To be honest with you, I wouldn't volunteer for a deployment. Only if it's a must go. If you be in long enough, you will catch a few deployments down the road.