Posted on Apr 24, 2015
To downsize, should the Army cut those with more than 10 years of service and no combat deployments?
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Cut every officer O4 and above, every NCO E7 and above, and every warrant officer CW3 and above, and anyone else in the Army with ten or more years of service who hasn’t done at least 12 cumulative months in combat. When I say “in combat,” I don’t mean “in a combat zone” in places like Qatar or Kuwait, where troops get many of the trappings of combat like the “combat zone tax exclusion” and technically get authorized to wear a combat patch without any of the real risk. I mean places where people are actually getting killed. Does that sound arbitrary? Well, maybe it is. But it’s no less arbitrary than the Army’s current downsizing methodology, and in the long run I think it’s much more equitable and better for the service. Case-by-case exemptions can be made as required.
http://www.havokjournal.com/culture/light-on-the-right-ditch-deployment-dodgers/
http://www.havokjournal.com/culture/light-on-the-right-ditch-deployment-dodgers/
Combat
Deployment
Drawdown
Downsizing
Leadership
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
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Well I will be hitting eight years in this November. I am leaving for my first deployment (to Kuwait) in July. I have volunteered for five deployments before, was put on two of them, which were then cancelled (both going to Iraq). I have made every effort I can to get overseas and "do my part" but I do not have much say in going overseas and where I go. The Army determines the job that I do and I do it with a smile on my face.
Why should I lose my career because they never decided to send me to a combat zone? Do we really want the incompetent ride alongs to volunteer for combat deployments just so they can keep their jobs?
I remember hearing years ago about many LTCs and COLs finding their way onto deployments so they could participate in a combat deployment and therefore be promoted to GEN. Their inexperience and/or unwillingness to listen to their combat hardened CPTs and 1SGs lead to increased casualties and inabilities to complete missions. Is this a practice we want to encourage?
Just because you are not fighting, does not mean you are not doing your part to support the military mission. Doing what you are assigned to do, doing it well, and always being willing to assist or volunteer should be more than enough for most.
Why should I lose my career because they never decided to send me to a combat zone? Do we really want the incompetent ride alongs to volunteer for combat deployments just so they can keep their jobs?
I remember hearing years ago about many LTCs and COLs finding their way onto deployments so they could participate in a combat deployment and therefore be promoted to GEN. Their inexperience and/or unwillingness to listen to their combat hardened CPTs and 1SGs lead to increased casualties and inabilities to complete missions. Is this a practice we want to encourage?
Just because you are not fighting, does not mean you are not doing your part to support the military mission. Doing what you are assigned to do, doing it well, and always being willing to assist or volunteer should be more than enough for most.
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CSM Carl Cunningham
I say that "Deployment does not = Competent". I feel that ignorant people look down on people who have not deployed. Are there some that dodged them? Sure there is. I doubt they are stellar performers anyways and they will most likely not last.
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LTC (Join to see)
I have a strong admiration for soldiers who have been in combat. However, in most cases, its not the soldiers fault that they did not get chosen for combat. Volunteering does not always result in going. Assignments are based on the needs of the service. Some jobs are also less likely to be deployed. The main criterion should be who is best qualified to fulfill the responsibilities in the next grade.
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LTC (Join to see)
I didn't think National Guard was included with the Regular Army drawdown? If so, then I assume you're safe and the OP's article isn't referencing Reservist/Guardsmen who obviously don't deploy with the same regularity that RA units do.
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CPT Zachary Brooks
Update on this. Right after I hit 10 years in, I did not make MAJ and was pushed out.
Due to an injury sure, but it kind of made this point moot.
Due to an injury sure, but it kind of made this point moot.
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I'm just going to leave this here:
A lot of my cohorts haven't deployed and by and large it's not for a lack of trying. I tried for three years before I finally deployed and then I didn't get 12 months because I was wounded. I'm a trauma nurse.
So me, and those who do the same job I do but haven't deployed enough for your recommended yard stick, should go home and you can stabilize yourself for that medevac. Most of those meet your time requirement. Not a well reasoned argument.
A lot of my cohorts haven't deployed and by and large it's not for a lack of trying. I tried for three years before I finally deployed and then I didn't get 12 months because I was wounded. I'm a trauma nurse.
So me, and those who do the same job I do but haven't deployed enough for your recommended yard stick, should go home and you can stabilize yourself for that medevac. Most of those meet your time requirement. Not a well reasoned argument.
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MAJ (Join to see)
MAJ (Join to see) I don't personally think this is an absolute criteria. Especially for certain specialties.
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I am all for dealing with deployment dodgers...but...
all this does is support "dick measuring." You arent as 'hooah' as I am?
The Army is a large organization with many support roles, such as doctors and attorneys and civil engineers, I dont care if my eye doctor or my dentist has deployed.
Also, in some cases, organizations are regionally aligned are concerned with something other than the Middle East, such as drug trafficing in South America.
Not every command is a deploying unit.
also, i remember being stationed at Fort Lewis, the 1st Corps G3 gets up and talks about all these planning conferences in Korea, Japan, Thailand. I so wanted to ask if were doing jack for the War on Terror, but I didnt want to piss him off.
all this does is support "dick measuring." You arent as 'hooah' as I am?
The Army is a large organization with many support roles, such as doctors and attorneys and civil engineers, I dont care if my eye doctor or my dentist has deployed.
Also, in some cases, organizations are regionally aligned are concerned with something other than the Middle East, such as drug trafficing in South America.
Not every command is a deploying unit.
also, i remember being stationed at Fort Lewis, the 1st Corps G3 gets up and talks about all these planning conferences in Korea, Japan, Thailand. I so wanted to ask if were doing jack for the War on Terror, but I didnt want to piss him off.
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TSgt David Holman
Sir, I tried a couple of times to write a response to the initial post, and you have hit what I wanted to say on the head.
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