Should I try to deploy?

2018-03-15T21:28:13-04:00

I'm in a strange situation that I'll try to make as short as possible. Basically due to some legal stuff I stupidly got myself into I've been put in a situation where I was taken off a deployment roster(unit is deploying with limited slots) and my previous team leader thinks that if I fight for it I can make it on the deployment still(probably by kicking off a new guy). I'm trying to decide if I should try to get on the deployment or just let it go and focus on college(junior in engineering) and my civilian life. I'm an 11b in a national guard unit. Major concerns from either point of view: If I don't go I'm concerned I'll regret it as this is likely my only shot at ever deploying and feel like my time in the military was pointless. I don't have the mentality of desperately wanting to go kill people, but I do want to test myself in a unique and difficult situation. If I do go I'm concerned that it's going to affect my progress in school(mostly just the break making it hard to get back into) and/or that the deployment will end up feeling like a waste of time sitting around in a desert doing jack shit. I have a lot going for me right now on the civillian side and some of it I can pick up a year later, but some of it not so much. If anyone has any advice that might help me figure this shit out I'd appreciate it.

I guess I want to emphasize that my really big concern is feeling like I just wasted 9 months. It seems pretty likely that I'll mostly be sitting around doing dumb stuff, is there anything positive about a non exciting deployment?(keeping in mind I don't need money and I do have good things going for me stateside)

Another option I've considered is finishing school now and going AD after college. Following the way things are going I believe there will be more opportunities in a couple years.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Mar 15 at 2018 9:32 PM

2018-03-15T21:32:04-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member: Specialist: I will say this: YOU ARE VERY, VERY BRAVE.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Mar 15 at 2018 9:32 PM

2018-03-15T21:32:49-04:00

Deploy if you can. Not an easy decision. Do it while you are young. It can open doors for you in the future.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2018 9:33 PM

2018-03-15T21:33:25-04:00

College can be done at any time, but I have always run my career making career choices first. I made 1SG before being accepted to a commissioning position because of it.
Personally, I prioritize deploying, nothing else replaces it and in the end, nothing else compares as a Soldier.
That said, it’s up to you. Do you want to go with your unit? Are you committed to them, and they to you?
My first tour, a million dollars wouldn’t have kept me from invading Iraq with the 173rd Airborne, it meant more than life to me. But that was then, that was me. It only matters what it means to you, now.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Mar 15 at 2018 9:38 PM

2018-03-15T21:38:52-04:00

You're probably not going to be doing a whole lot while deployed besides sitting around some camp. But it'll just be 9 months, so may as well go for it.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Mar 15 at 2018 9:40 PM

2018-03-15T21:40:21-04:00

Deploy is you can and if you can go to the court and tell them your are deploying and show proof they will dismiss the charges if you are sincere. Deploy it won’t be your only chance but you wanna go with your unit and people you know. What state are you in? Deploy

Response by SPC Jovani Daviu made Mar 15 at 2018 9:41 PM

2018-03-15T21:41:48-04:00

In my opinion, I would refuse to allow my fellow brothers to deploy without me by their sides. I would try as hard as possible to deploy with my unit. Imagine losing a brother during a deployment and regretting the fact that your presence could've made a difference. At least, that's my way of thinking.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 15 at 2018 9:54 PM

2018-03-15T21:54:44-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I went to Korea - after the shooting. Friend Frank stayed at Ft Ord as Cadre for his 2 years. He later regretted never having gone anywhere!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Mar 15 at 2018 9:56 PM

2018-03-15T21:56:48-04:00

Stay home. I read your dissertation.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 15 at 2018 10:05 PM

2018-03-15T22:05:32-04:00

Ignoring everything else. Are you giving or are you taking? If you are “taking” an an opportunity from someone else, how does that make you feel as a leader?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2018 10:07 PM

2018-03-15T22:07:08-04:00

I would deploy. You can always take college classes while you're there. You may be too young to have seen "Patton" but a line from GEN. Patton's speech comes to mind:

"Thirty years from now when you're sitting by your fireside with your grandson on your knee and he asks, 'What did you do in the great World War Two?' You won't have to cough and say, 'Well, your granddaddy shoveled shit in Louisiana.'"

There's nothing worse than sitting on the bench when the team goes forward, ask me how I know.

Response by SFC Johnathan Severs made Mar 15 at 2018 11:10 PM

2018-03-15T23:10:35-04:00

Well I say it depends on this ‘stupid legal stuff’ because the last thing a unit needs to worry about is something like that when deployed anywhere OCONUS.

When you look back on your career - it is often measured by how well you trained and how you executed that training when it mattered most.

Simply put, don’t be that guy.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2018 11:10 PM

2018-03-15T23:10:42-04:00

I do not hear a lot of enthusiasm or motivation from your post. Why did you join the national Guard?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 15 at 2018 11:20 PM

2018-03-15T23:20:25-04:00

Deploy. If you are flagged they will likely not take you, but you never know if someone will drop off due to medical. Show them why they should take you and be ready.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 12:10 AM

2018-03-16T00:10:04-04:00

You will regret not deploying if you are planning on commissioning. I was glad I had done all the deployments and hooah schools before commissioning.

Response by SSG Keith Amacher made Mar 16 at 2018 12:38 AM

2018-03-16T00:38:28-04:00

Troop I am off tomorrow and we can talk and if you look at my background you'll see I was a SSG on E7 list SF and Intel and MP. let me know if you want to talk on phone and I'll give you my number brother.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Mar 16 at 2018 12:56 AM

2018-03-16T00:56:38-04:00

So this would be my question. Without getting into too much detail for the purpose of opsec......
How many hoops did the replacement killer jump thru to cover your shortfall. In other words did someone else put part of their life on hold for this and now you are asking to bump them in order for you to go.
If...someone has sacrificed for the unit and is covering down, I would say that you should sit back and let them go. Put yourself back up as a volunteer in case of another shortfall, but don’t bounce someone because you were able to rectify your situation after they have sacrificed.
Just my perspective.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Mar 16 at 2018 1:24 AM

2018-03-16T01:24:11-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I have deployed three times on 12 month overseas tours as a Reservist and I am thankful for each one, even when in combat. You get life experiences you will never have anywhere else and a sense of brotherhood. Maybe you will remember why you joined in the first place. I used each deployment as a chance to reflect and plan for the next 3-5 years and studied on targeted topics to be ready when I returned.
You are looking at the deployment as a black hole, it is not, it is what you make out of it.
Once you complete your engineering degree you will have options later as well, but you don't want to look back with regret.
Only you can make the choice, I would draw a T - chart and list advantages and disadvantages for each then combine my gut call with my analysis and drive on.
God Speed in your pursuit!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 3:56 AM

2018-03-16T03:56:33-04:00

SOC Clay M. It sounds like you have a lot of issues going on. I understand that deploying to war makes nothing better. Usually people get in trouble when they’re having other personal problems and the issue or incident becomes a manifestation of poor judgment. That’s not a good combination for going to war and leads to problems which can significantly alter the course of your life. So depending on what is going on you may want to take a pass. I would alter wager that you probably have less say in this than you think.
Now I personally feel that the whole point of being in the military is to train for service in war. The purpose of the military is to project defensive and offense of force around the world to protect America. Everyone went to some military should be eager to execute that mission or needs to go away. The military isn’t a cool club or merely a job but if taken seriously a way of life. That doesn’t mean you have to serve in the military your entire life but it is a mindset of sacrifice and dedication to your country which is clearly manifested in your service while at war regardless of what capacity you have during the war. It is the willingness to raise your hand and risk your life whether or not you spend that wore in a galley preparing food or kicking doors in and shooting people in the face. If you’re worried about being bored while at war that’s deeply concerning. That is not a very mature attitude about it honestly. War is long periods of mundane activity and boredom punctuated by moments of total chaos and pure terror. Service at war is also what makes a true veteran. I would sit down with an NCO you trust and sort this out but this is not a decision to be taken lightly even if it is yours to make. 18 is only as strong as this weakest link. Don’t selfishly choose to be a burden of the team if other issues prevent you from being fully engaged and contributing to the effort.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 16 at 2018 6:15 AM

2018-03-16T06:15:50-04:00

The ball is in your court, it's up to you on how you want to play it out.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Mar 16 at 2018 7:48 AM

2018-03-16T07:48:53-04:00

OK, I'll just give you my personal experience. Just before I got off active reserve as an Engineer O-3, I was offered two overseas deployments, both longer than 9 months, that I turned down. There were a lot of very legitimate and important reasons why I turned them down, but I regret to this day the fact that I didn't take one or the other. From my point of view, if you have the time and the opportunity, go for it. If you are worried about school, look at what they offer online that you may be able to do while deployed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 8:34 AM

2018-03-16T08:34:00-04:00

go to college, let them go, more deployments will come up.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 9:26 AM

2018-03-16T09:26:50-04:00

SPC, it sounds to me that at least you recognize you made a stupid decision and got yourself into some "legal stuff" that you shouldn't have. I have a son your age that is now kicking himself in the butt for doing the exact same thing. If nothing else the deployment should make you grow up a little bit and help you for the rest of your life with better decision making. Like many others have said here, you can do college courses while deployed most likely. Depends on where your going. And college will ALWAYS be there when you get back. A nine moth deployment at your age just might do you some good and help you grow up a bit faster than sitting in a college classroom. Just my two cents.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 16 at 2018 10:22 AM

2018-03-16T10:22:58-04:00

It looks like you're trying to sort out your life priorities. I salute you for serving in the Guard! IMO your civilian opportunities look more appealing right now. You're almost finished with an engineering degree--not an easy thing to achieve. You should take the time to complete the degree while continuing your Guard duty. Once the degree is completed you can reevaluate your life priorities. Applying for active duty in one of the Services may be a good deal for you. All of the Services like people with engineering degrees and sometimes even let you work in a field related to your degree. Army Corps of Engineers, Navy Seabees, and Air Force Materiel Command come to mind. The Guard also has its own OCS program, so you might want to consider that after completing your degree. Be careful to sort our whatever legal problems got you taken off the deployment list originally. You don't want them to come back a bite you later.

Response by MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2018 11:08 AM

2018-03-16T11:08:02-04:00

Reality needs to com into play here. Fighting is minimal and you'll most likely be patrolling around a non-kinetic environment, if you patrol at all. There's a reason your unit is deploying as a whole. Take into consideration what the actual mission is and where you fit into the scheme of things. You normally can accomplish college while deployed, but factor in your accessibility and whether or not you'll be able to get to a computer to complete your assignments. If you'll be on a POG base, then NBD, you'll probably have an education center there.

Secondly, no time in the military should every be seen as a waste. Everything should be a learning opportunity and a way to better yourself. You need to consider if this is a career you're making. If you'll stay in for 20 years, you have some time to get your college done after deployment. If you're setting yourself up for life after the military, stay home, get some college, and start networking for your next step!

Last piece of advice is that if you decide to get out, at least go Reserves or Guard. Do that for what's remaining of your 20 years. It's the easiest way to earn a paycheck for the rest of your life I can think of.

Good luck!

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 16 at 2018 11:16 AM

2018-03-16T11:16:10-04:00

I spent 2 1/2 years in a guard unit and didn't hear the word deployment uttered once compared to doing 2 trips in 4 years with AD. If you have no intentions of going AD this could be your only opportunity to deploy for quite some time and Id recommend you take it. Even if your deployment is slow going it'll be an experience you never forget. On my second deployment the most action we saw was an Iraqi soldier having an ND but it was still a good time.

Response by SSG Keith Amacher made Mar 16 at 2018 11:51 AM

2018-03-16T11:51:44-04:00

If you go are you willing to get in the fight with your team and back them up. When I was in I said I don't care about the how your uniform and boots look. Can you shoot and can I count on you in a fire fight... If yes you are on my team. I told a Captain that said if we go to combat he would go to Canada because he was just in for his College education. I told him don't worry about the enemy I will shoot you. Are you up for the duty troop. If so go for it.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Mar 16 at 2018 12:08 PM

2018-03-16T12:08:21-04:00

Sit down and make a pros and cons list and then go over it with someone who you trust to be unbiased about the situation.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 16 at 2018 3:18 PM

2018-03-16T15:18:47-04:00

1. Are you better then the new guy, or better trained? 2. Would your deployment be an asset to the unit? That's the important questions- the civilian side to me is immaterial- living up to your Oath is what is important to me!.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 9:23 AM

2018-03-22T09:23:35-04:00

From a whole life perspective, as I hit my 20 year mark, I attempted to deploy as much as possible for the first 10 years of my career, and don't regret a minute of it. Some were good, some were not so good, but all were great experiences. My college time got a little stretched out, but it was well worth it. Starting my career also got pushed back (Air Guard, here, so I do have that to worry about), but again - no regrets. Then at around my 11 year mark, I met and married my wife, and we started a family. My last 10 years have been much less involved - drills, ORIs, assorted training. I haven't volunteered for much of anything and, again, regret nothing.

This is part of what is great about the Guard and Reserves, the chance to live both lives. I would always encourage guard members to be extremely active early, and afford themselves the chance to settle down as life increases its demands on you.

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Mar 22 at 2018 4:42 PM

2018-03-22T16:42:20-04:00

I’m a Cold War type and may be looking at this from a different point of view. You are entering your junior year in engineering. After college you said you can go active. Are you a ROTC Cadet? If not, why not - especially as a future degreed engineer. Invest in yourself and your future family. Russia, China, NOKO, Terror, etc. will be there after you graduate. Also consider that it beats burning shit (literally) if you are just a show of force in a Sandbox Garrison.

Response by SFC Keith Frain made Mar 23 at 2018 12:03 AM

2018-03-23T00:03:09-04:00

I am prepared to take some MAJOR HEAT ROUNDS; if there is a single Service Member who hasn't been deployed during our countries longest standing WAR TIME SERVICE...they are just wrong. We are called the 1% for a reason. Sure, you can further your career through education or rear-D. Sure you be proud as hell to put on your uniform...And hell, I'm proud of anyone who signs on the line and raises their hand to become part of our 1% "club". Sure there's rear-D jobs which need high speed Soldiers to make shit happen, to make sure those deployed are taken care of. BUT there are TOO MANY of us rotating during this 17 year war to look to the left or the right of us and see an absent Combat Patch.
Bring it, I love my Country and my Service brothers and sisters, but I can promise you....regret sucks; yeah death sucks too, but the GI BILL glory days are long gone.

V/r
K

Response by CW3 Chuck Huddleston made Mar 30 at 2018 9:54 PM

2018-03-30T21:54:02-04:00

I would say deploy if you can get back on the roster. As you said, not going with your buddies is something you will always regret later in life. A lot of people don't get the opportunity, take advantage of it to gain an experience that very few people have.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2018 7:20 AM

2018-04-01T07:20:32-04:00

My first thought is if leadership took you off Deployment roster it's not worth trying to get back on the roster. If your legal case is not closed out it is not worth holding off to complete after the Deployment. Especially if you want to go Active and thoughts of going Officer could be held up depending on the final charges titled against you. AR 601-210 will be a good guide for you to learn about that. Also any legal issues is not something you want to be thinking about while Deployed even if you just sit on FOB somewhere. You are in the Guard so good luck switching over, but if that is what you want make sure to start working that about a year prior. In the 3yrs I recruited in PA we successfully got 1 Soldier released from the guard. Not because medical or legal issues if was because CMD would not sign off on the 4187 and 368. Can't remember off top my head But it was either BDE CDR or the first 1star in the CMD for final signature. Then second issue is if your case is closed out and you were still taken off the roster then that tells me your CMD either has no trust in you because your issue or they think you will be a constant problem now. If that is the case depending on yourself you should transfer college and unit. If that is not the case do as others said focus on yourself for school then give it your all to the Guard on the weekends. Your path is being guided just go with the flow, what I have learned is when you ask for something you usually get something completly different. I reclassed back in 2004 as a SGT got stuck in a straight Garrison unit a year later I received Recruiting orders. Within those 3yrs I made SSG which was good but then sucked because I was about to be a Squad Leader when I left with almost no knowledge of the job. Fast FWD 4yrs later upon return to Drim from a Deployment I asked to stay there as at that time I was 11yrs TIS, 6 duty station and Recruiting was one of them. I was told I wasn't being looked at anytime soon, buy a house about 3 months later DA Select for Drill Sergeant and that was my only INDEF reenlistment. Now I'm at 9 duty stations about to hit 10 duty stations in next few months and 18yrs TIS. Moral of the story is don't ask too much or you may regret it. But at same time don't let the dumb stuff prevent you from the bigger picture. That's my words of advice. Look me up on Global if you want any further discussion without this format.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Apr 10 at 2018 2:30 PM

2018-04-10T14:30:26-04:00

Finish school. You have something to fall back on. Deployment will come eventually.

Response by PO3 Tom Adams made Apr 20 at 2018 8:31 AM

2018-04-20T08:31:12-04:00

Be advised that Deployment of any kind is one of the GREATEST ideas a learning experience. I have been where you are and can say this from Experience.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2018 2:29 AM

2018-05-01T02:29:23-04:00

Great question, but I wouldn't beat your self up over the legal issues, learn from it and focus on your future. Regarding deploying, if you have confidence and have trust in your units leadership, I would recommend deploying. So much was Soldier's know prior to deploying is limited to NTC or JRTC, which do a great job at replicating METL based training scenarios. But due to their shortened length, lack in the ability at fully testing the resiliency of leaders and Soldiers alike. I never turned down a deployment , and consequently honed my leadership abilities on each deployment, and would recommend deploying if you have a high degree in confidence in your units leadership.

Response by SP5 Kristen Brown made May 4 at 2018 10:52 AM

2018-05-04T10:52:03-04:00

If you don't plan on making the Army a career, which it sounds like you don't, then as a fellow engineer and Army veteran, my advice is stay in school. I got deployed while in school and it set me back so far. I lost the connection I had with study groups and simply pushed my graduation date back putting me behind in my career path and other life goals.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 7:04 PM

2018-05-11T19:04:45-04:00

If you need to ask yourself, and ask on a forum, you are more than likely not ready to deploy.

Response by Capt Christian D. Orr made May 21 at 2018 7:49 AM

2018-05-21T07:49:54-04:00

Absolutely, you should deploy! I missed out on it during my 7 years of active-duty service, so for the last years I've been making up for lost time, adventure, and money by going the damn dirty mercenary, er, privateer, er, Private Military Contractor (PMC) route.

Response by SGT Angeline Stephens made May 26 at 2018 3:19 PM

2018-05-26T15:19:02-04:00

Keep in mind that deploying will also help your civilian career The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill will put more money in your pocket while you attend school, which allows you to work less and focus on school more. Not to mention, you can still use Federal Tuition Assistance or your State’s Tuition Assistance program. You’ll also have pride that comes along with that combat patch. I recommend for everyone to deploy - it's worth it.

Response by SGM Jeffrey Hall made May 26 at 2018 4:24 PM

2018-05-26T16:24:16-04:00

I think that deployments are what we join the military to do. Not deploying can be harmful to your military career, so if you plan to make a career of the military, fight to go. If you are just in for the college money, then don't worry about deploying.

Response by SPC Chuck Daly made May 29 at 2018 3:38 PM

2018-05-29T15:38:26-04:00

I wonder why this is even a question. It sounds to me like you care more about what happens to you than you care about your team. If that is the case, do not deploy. They'll probably do better without you. Personally, I would do whatever it took to be with my comrades.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2018 1:19 AM

2018-05-30T01:19:59-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member soldiering isn’t for everyone. Deploying isn’t just about testing yourself in unique situations.
It’s normal to be scared. It’s normal to have some doubts. But the “should I, shouldn’t?” thing? Young brother, if you have to ask, I’d advise no, you most assuredly should not.
If you’re making poor enough choices to get pulled off of a deployment right before it, I shutter to think of your decision making downrange.

If you’re not all the way focused and committed, you run the risk of getting yourself hurt or killed. Or worse (or more likely), someone else hurt or killed. If your biggest concern is feeling like you wasted nine months, and you’re looking to a public forum looking for positive reasons to go on a boring deployment... honestly, and respectfully, that sounds awful. You’d be doing yourself and those around you a disservice.

If things are going well in your civilian life, I’d say go for it. Don’t let whatever is going on slip away, especially some of the parts that couldn't be picked up so easily.

Additionally, I’d like to add that I have to respectfully disagree with those who have advised you differently. I’d ask any of you folks that if this was one of your joes, would you fight to have him deploy beside you? (Based on the given information). I would have to respectfully decline.

Best of luck to you.

Response by SGT Gabriel Brown made May 30 at 2018 9:28 AM

2018-05-30T09:28:18-04:00

You're a grunt. You joined the infantry during a time of war, pray to the infantry gods for your chance to deploy, you train to deploy, and then question the decision? How is this even a question? Reach down, make sure they're still there, and go get your name on that damn roster.

Additionally: you're in the guard, so you may not get another opportunity.

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made May 30 at 2018 4:23 PM

2018-05-30T16:23:57-04:00

I would go for it as you have nothing to lose. When I was first on active duty I turned down orders to Camp Pendleton in '89 to help out a newly married friend who really didn't want to go to Guam. Of course in '90 when Saddam invaded Kuwait I was on Guam. Several of my friends at Camp Pendleton of course went to the Gulf and I was then disappointed that I had changed orders. I tried talking to people I knew that might have any connections to see if I just might be able to get orders. Nothing came of it as those of us on Guam were considered as forward deployed and only a single Corpsman from Naval Hospital Guam went. Then I'd be driving to one of the dive shops early morning and saw all these flatbed trucks with their loads covered up delivering bombs from the NAVMAG to the harbor headed for the Middle East. Then 9/11 came along and in '03 I was mobilized involuntarily to Corpus Christi to replace an active duty member who want to Iraq. But in '05 out of the blue there was an opportunity to go to Iraq and I took it, never regretting it as it offset my not going to Kuwait in '91. I always kept my name on the volunteer list and was mobilized twice more; back to Iraq in '07 and Germany in '10 before retiring in '12. You will never know what can happen unless you try.

Response by Robyn Morrow made Jun 1 at 2018 10:57 AM

2018-06-01T10:57:28-04:00

Deploying only helps you while you are in the military. It does nothing for you in civilian world. Yes it looks good on a resume’ but what can you do with after? Nothing.. get your education while you are still in that mind set. If you leave it to go do something else it’s going to be extremely difficult to get back into the same rhythm. College credits have a shelf life. Get your degree then go and deploy.
You will have the shoulda. Woulda, coulda but ya didn’t
Finish your education. It will last a life time. Deployment lasts 9 months with circumstances you can’t foresee

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Jun 4 at 2018 5:28 PM

2018-06-04T17:28:26-04:00

My deployment is something I think about positively almost every day. It sounds like this may be your only shot. I'd take it if you can

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2018 10:05 AM

2018-06-05T10:05:39-04:00

From your letter it sounds like you don't want to deploy, but don't want to be looked down upon with your decision. Look man its your life don't give a dam what other people say or what you think they are saying. I had a buddy who's wife cheated on him when we were deployed. Everyone was saying he should leave her. He asked me what I thought. I said to hell with what other people say its up to you if you want to stay with her then do it. There still married today that was 10 yrs ago.

Response by SPC Thomas Rucker made Jun 9 at 2018 12:16 PM

2018-06-09T12:16:52-04:00

Deploy if you can. I was in a similar situation and chose to go if my unit went. (I was Reserves) It turns out that veteran status is awarded to those guardsmen/reservists who deployed for 6 months or more. You'll have to verify, but I believe 6 months is correct. Anyhow, if earning veteran status with the government is important to you, then reup active or deploy. As always I recommend you pray about it.

Response by SSG Russell Watson made Jun 10 at 2018 9:40 PM

2018-06-10T21:40:13-04:00

If deploying won't dig your legal hole deeper, do it. SecDef Mattis has stated several times that if you are unable to deploy you will be discharged. You can do college later and in my experience, you learn things about yourself and about accomplishing tasks that you won't learn by staying back.

Response by SSG Aaron Gough made Jun 27 at 2020 5:43 PM

2020-06-27T17:43:29-04:00

Get your stuff straight, get your butt on the DMD, and deploy. You will ALWAYS regret it the rest of your life if you don't at least try to go. If you're in the guard you'll have plenty of opportunities to deploy. It just depends on how bad you want to go. You might not get a movie worthy deployment, but you'll get one under your belt. After my first I wanted to go back as soon as possible. You'll see and do things you'll never get to do back here at home.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jan 24 at 2021 10:42 PM

2021-01-24T22:42:37-05:00

So you screwed up and your solution to make yourself feel better is to take an opportunity away from someone who didn't screw up?