Can you be forced to extend prior to a deployment?

2021-09-15T17:13:08-04:00

My ETS date would be somewhere near the end of the deployment coming up next year. During some of the preparation processes, the senior enlisted and officers I’ve met have given me different information. We were told that we (~10 pax) have to reenlist before 5Oct of this year to qualify for the deployment but one side says we do not have to extend our contracts yet. They did say there is a memorandum for intent to reenlist I could fill out. They also stated waiting until after I am deployed to reenlist would be best. The closer to my ETS date, the more beneficial it could be as I am a technician and could be offered incentive or bonus under those conditions. I’ve already lost half of the only bonus I would have received by joining the technician program. I do have intent to deploy, I definitely would like to do my 20 years as I’m already halfway through my 10th year, but the idea of a bad deployment ruining the military for me is also floating in my head. The decision for one year or six years would be better determined, to me, on this deployment. All input, advice and guidance is truly appreciated in this subject. Thank you all in advance.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2021 5:28 PM

2021-09-15T17:28:58-04:00

One thing I would say is wait until you’re deployed to reenlist. Tax free bonus. If you get that opportunity.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2021 5:29 PM

2021-09-15T17:29:24-04:00

The Army could involuntarily extend you if they need you that badly for the mission. Whether it be a bad or good deployment....that's all relative and speculation.

Response by PFC Darrell Delmundo made Sep 15 at 2021 6:22 PM

2021-09-15T18:22:48-04:00

Reenlist during deployment. Tax free bonus

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2021 7:57 PM

2021-09-15T19:57:19-04:00

If you’ve been in for around 10 then you know that for anything and everything there is a waiver. Just like the other guys said. Wait until the deployment. Get a memorandum or an exemption to policy letter that stated you will re enlist or extend during your deployment. Because you will make a pretty penny doing so.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2021 8:04 PM

2021-09-15T20:04:29-04:00

You are in the Guard and you have a mobilization for a deployment that goes past your current ETS.
If you do not extend for your deployment, you cannot extend at all, you will get a bar.
So in a sense, they cannot force you to extend, they can only tell you that you have to extend for the deployment if you want to stay in at all.

However, you can extend for 1 year.

That means you will be back in your 1 year reenlistment window towards the end of the deployment. You can then do that extension for 3 or 6 in theater, whatever bonus you are looking at.
If you are in a tax free zone, that first payment will be tax free.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Sep 15 at 2021 8:43 PM

2021-09-15T20:43:57-04:00

The unit could require you to reup or extend to meet eligibility requirements to deploy. Depending on the circumstances there could also be a stop loss but that’s a little more complicated

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2021 8:51 PM

2021-09-15T20:51:33-04:00

Before I could deploy, I had to have more days on my contract than the deployment orders. I was about 4 months out. I signed a one year contingent on me going.
I went, and I made sure it was a good deployment.
Before I left, I decided I needed to keep 3 things to make it good.
My rank
My dignity.
My friends.
Lose one you lose them all.
I kept them all and gained a rank.
Good luck

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2021 9:41 PM

2021-09-15T21:41:53-04:00

you are mixing a lot of stuff up here. If you are being offered a deployment, no one is forcing you.
If you need time left on your contract to deploy you can extend and re-enlist on deployment.

The Army has its ups and downs if one deployment can ruin the Army for you...I dont know what to tell you

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2021 11:32 PM

2021-09-15T23:32:57-04:00

I see you are in the National Guard, One of two things can happen here. One is you can not extent in time and be to pulled from the UMR or you can extent before leaving to the end of the deployment orders then while in country do a full extension of your choosing. The guard won’t forcibly deploy you they will make you rear detachment. I hope this answers your question and I wish you the best of luck.

Response by SPC John Donovan made Sep 16 at 2021 2:16 AM

2021-09-16T02:16:11-04:00

I've been out for 60+/- years, can't really help you but back when I was running out of time in the Army, I wish I had stayed in. My advise is to listen to Veterans here and see if what some say fits your situation. I'm so sorry I can offer better advice but that's all I can say to help you make your decision. Thanks for your service CPL Jimenez.

Response by 1SG Billye Jackson made Sep 16 at 2021 1:00 PM

2021-09-16T13:00:13-04:00

No but you will be Flagged . Do you know what that means?

Response by SGT Robert Andrews made Sep 22 at 2021 11:00 AM

2021-09-22T11:00:51-04:00

Yes but you have to be paid for that extension