Deployments: Did you volunteer or were you volun-told?

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 10:09:15 -0500

How many deployments have you had, to where, and did you volunteer for them or were they mandatory? Individual or unit deployments? If you volunteered, what motivated you to do so?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 10:13 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 10:13:51 -0500

I've been on two. The first I volunteered for, and the second was a scheduled unit deployment.

Response by 1SG Shane Hansen made Mar 1 at 2014 10:30 AM

1SG Shane Hansen — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 10:30:47 -0500

Sir, I would guess they are all both volunteer and mandatory for me. I volunteered to join the army and reenlist and then they mandated I go on deployments. I have not regretted or cussed any of them though, just happy to serve my country in whatever way I can. All unit deployments for me as well.

12 months to Afghanistan

15 months to Iraq

10 months to Afghanistan (currently deployed)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 10:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 10:37:17 -0500

7 months in Afghanistan

15 months in Iraq

12 months in Afghanistan

just got back from 9 1/2 months in Afghanistan.

We're supposed to volunteer?!?

Response by SSG Dave Rogers made Mar 1 at 2014 10:45 AM

SSG Dave Rogers — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 10:45:16 -0500

Desert Storm 18 months Volunteer second tour

Egypt 6 months Volunteer

Bosnia 9 month Volunteer

seems crazy to volunteer I know, but it was something I learned early on. My Squad leader said if you want to see more and do more in the army, make yourself valuable. Each mission I would volunteer for, when I was done and would come back, my previous assignment was filled, and I would get a call with 7-9 open positions and would be able to choose where I wanted to go next. Thanks to that I have seen some great places. Did not always work, sometimes the mission did not need my skill set, but when it did it was great..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 11:33 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:33:57 -0500

I've been deployed once. It was a unit scheduled deployment, but even if it wasn't I would have volunteered. It makes me feel a part of the greater good.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 2:57 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 14:57:59 -0500

LTC Deaton,

I have 6 deployments under my belt and all were mandatory.

3x Iraq
1x Afghanistan
1x Pakistan
1x Kuwait

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 3:07 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 15:07:06 -0500

Sir,

I have been on five CBT tours. I volunteered for the last one which ended up being for only three months. I had just made the MSG list and I had been training with my Platoon for a year the BC told me it was my choice. So I asked my wife what she wanted me to do so she asked do you trust whoever they are going to put in charge I said NO so she gave me a kiss on the cheek and said "Sappers Clear the Way". It was our second month into tour number five when one of my Squad Leaders made the SFC list. While on mission I received a FLIPER message "Tell Psycho 11 Congrats he is # 13 and you need to start packing your bags you are redeploying after a right seat ride". That is my story and all my deployments were unit deployments.

RCP 80 RC SW: 03 13 - 11-13

30,000 + KM cleared

17 IEDs found

13 found the wrong way

11 out 34 soldiers received Purple Hearts

34 earned CABs

7 redeployed due to IED Strikes but made 100% recovery's

V/r

1SG Haro

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 3:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 15:16:30 -0500

All 3 of mine were unit scheduled 6 monthers to the Stan. I went gladly each time, but this trip has made me quite tired of this place.

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Mar 1 at 2014 7:16 PM

SSG Keith Evans — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:16:30 -0500

I enlisted knowing and hoping I would deploy, I've only deployed once, but I honestly had to struggle for 6 years to go to a division and deploy. I'm proud to say I have served my country on a deployment. Now that I'm married with children, I don't know if I'd volunteer, but I will do whatever is needed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 7:49 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 19:49:46 -0500

Cuba, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Afghanistan all unit deployments or directed to deploy as an individual.

I did volunteer for an Iraq MTT before they were a "thing" because I loved working with locals in OIF1. I got assigned to Atlanta.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 5:30 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 05:30:59 -0500

I've deployed twice to Afghanistan with my unit and would go again whenever I'd be needed as I enlisted knowing I would and to me it's a part of the job

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 9:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 09:46:08 -0500

Sir, after 16 years of service I was medically retired due to my injuries sustained from 4 deployments. Out of the 4, I volunteered for the last one and did not regret it at all. But IF I could go on jut one more, I defiantly would. As for the last mission, Afghanistan, it was to take a group of new Soldiers, straight out of AIT on their first deployment. From classroom, to ranges, field problems, vehicle training and language classes it was time for pack out and some leave to see families. Being able to see the Soldiers perform down range after all that was great. BUT, I was pulled as a Platoon Sergeant and moved into a different area and rated as an E-8 as a Staff Sergeant! Someone saw something in me that I didn’t. But the deployment was great for me as I was able to work with Armies from different Countries, give input to Officers and best of all, made friends with a few NATO SOC units. Motivation enough for me all around from start to finish.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 9:58 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 09:58:17 -0500

3 Deployments to date:

7 mos Afghanistan

5 mos Qatar

3 mos BIOT

Volunteered for them all - that's why we serve!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 10:38 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 10:38:59 -0500

I claim ignorance on this one, but is it possible to volunteer still?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 10:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 10:41:33 -0500

Voluntold for all 3 deployments!

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 2 at 2014 10:47 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 10:47:46 -0500

Was deployed to Iraq twice, OIF and OIF-III with 3rd ID and was volun-told, but would have volunteered had it been otherwise. Was a young SGT when DS/DS occurred and was stationed at Ft. Carson, one of the few who did not participate, and couldn't get my butt volunteered, tried Armor Branch-no go, tried walking down the hall to the G-3 and volunteering-no go (was Chief of Staff's driver, so was locked-in in the event the Div did deploy) and remember how "useless" I felt, a tanker not involved in DS/DS, so was more than ready and set when my time came!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 11:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:22:54 -0500

I served 12 months in Afghanistan on a unit deployment. I guess it would be considered a volun-told deployment. But I enlisted with the understanding that I would more than likely deploy at some point. Since then though I have tried to deploy again only to be told that the mission was being cancelled and that I would be unable to deploy. Now my current unit's AO is PACOM and SOUTHCOM so the likelyhood of an actual deployment is rapidly decreasing. All I can hope for is another major war on drugs to kick off and hope to go somewhere in S. America.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 11:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:31:44 -0500

I've been on four deployments; 3 OIF, 1 OEF, I never volunteered because we were already slotted to go on 3 of 4 when I arrived to the units due to PCS, and my first one was when we first crossed over to Iraq, so there was no reason in volunteering because I was going anyway. However there was talk of leaving me back as Rear D NCO for my last deployment but I wasn't having any of that, so I fought my way out of it because if my Soldiers were going, then so was I. I was also one of the most experienced NCO's in the company when it came to deployments, I had done a little bit of everything, so I thought that I could help out tremendously as well. I didn't want to go through the grind of training and preparing for deployment with my SQD and then not go through the grind of deploying and leading them the way I knew how to, in my mind nobody could do a better job and would care for their well-being the way I would, not to mention I had already earned their trust in what I could do technically and tactically. We were a tight knit SQD and relied on each other at this point.

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made Mar 2 at 2014 12:58 PM

CPT Brandon Christensen — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 12:58:16 -0500

Sir, I have had 1 deployment to Iraq (mandatory) from Sept 05-Jul07 with the 1BCT 34th ID. Since returning I have volunteered twise (once in 2010 for New Dawn) and then last year as a SFAT to Afghanistan, but both times they were canceled on me.

Reason I am trying to get on another deployment (still trying to this day) is because my first deployment was as enlisted and new very little about anything (E4) and now that I am an officer with 12 years under my belt, I am a little wiser and want to use my skills in a combat zone. All these years of training for "combat situations" it would be nice to put these skills to use and use them in a combat situation and see if what I learned paid off and see if I am a true leader/officer.

Now I know I don't need to be in combat to see if I am a good leader, can easily be done/shown state side, but this is something personal that I want to see. Everyone around me may see me as a good or bad officer, but right now I see myself as mediocre and having a deployment as an officer would really test my ability to lead and make decisions under stress.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 1:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 13:03:47 -0500

I have been on two deployments, both to Afghanistan.

Volun-told the first time around in 2009

Volunteered for this one I am on currently

I volunteered so that I could save up as much money as possible to buy a house when I get home, and have enough in savings to not have to worry about struggling.

Response by SSG Dave Rogers made Mar 2 at 2014 3:20 PM

SSG Dave Rogers — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 15:20:26 -0500

For those wondering about volunteering for deployment, I dont have it anymore as I have been out for 11 years, but there is a number at the Pentagon that you can call to be put on a list for willing to fill shortages for deploying units, this does not mean that you will be called every time, or that you will be forced to go, they will ask if you are able to go at that time, I turned down 1 assignment because I was going to a training course. It is easier for National Guard and Reserve Soldiers to volunteer as they are not assigned the same was an active duty soldier. You can also go through your command, but if they are short your MOS they may not be willing to let you go unless it is within your higher command. Do note that if you volunteer though that usually there is little warning time, what usually happens is as a unit is going through its pre-deployment they find out who can not deploy and you can get as little as 24-72 hours to report, so if you are planning to volunteer make sure you have everything in order and be ready to fall into the deep end. When went to Bosnia I ended up filling a much higher position because I was the only person they could get on short notice that had the skills identifers they needed for the job. There was a lot of pressure, but it was a great learning experience.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 6:21 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 18:21:25 -0500

My squadron had was deploying an element size of airman. I'll say I felt sorry for those that had deployed several times, so volenteer for the this one and signed all the respected waivers. The waivers were due to the fact I just PCS'd in from a remote and wasn't allowed to go. However, I ended up at Camp Bucca, Iraq.

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 2 at 2014 6:44 PM

SFC James Baber — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 18:44:30 -0500

Let's see if I can remember them correctly. Panama, Desert Storm, Somalia, Kosovo and OEF, I volunteered for; Honduras, Haiti, Bosnia and OIF I & III I was in the units that were on deployment orders so I guess that is voluntold.

The volunteered ones I asked to go because I wanted to go to the areas that were the zones and I think during my younger gung ho years I was the adrenaline junkie my ex-wife always said I was, and since the unit I was in wasn't tagged to go, I looked for sister units or others within the BDE/DIV that were going and found slots that needed filling, OEF I think was more about patriotism than anything else.

Overall, I never ran from my duty and was always willing to fill in when needed or asked.

Response by SGT Gary Fuller made Mar 2 at 2014 10:48 PM

SGT Gary Fuller — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 22:48:18 -0500

I served in the Army most of my younger years. I joined in the Army in the 70's. My war was Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I would gladly be deployed If my country could still use me. Once a Soldier always a Soldier.

Response by CPL Robert Baker made Mar 2 at 2014 11:17 PM

CPL Robert Baker — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 23:17:26 -0500

I a way sir I think we all volunteered when we signed up, however I do understand the question. I served for 2 deployments to Iraq, my first was because the unit deployed, my second I volunteered. When I returned from my first I had some issues and was diagnosed with PTSD. To often now do fellow soldiers see that as a sign of weakness, I loved the army and my brothers as well if I don't say so myself, I was good at my job. When the unit came around for the second deployment the shrink said she was going to put me on red status so I would be non eligible. Not only did I volunteer but I fought with her to keep from doing that, there was no way i was going to leave my brothers to go without me. I trained my team and they were better off deploying under my lead than someone else taking over at the last minute that they didn't know his SOP. Not only did I act for those reasons but also because I believe we had a reason to be there, I have always felt like a Guardian and I can think of no other way too die than in service of someone else's freedom, even if it happens to be an iraqi.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2014 5:18 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 05:18:08 -0500

I always been in operational units so never have the opportunity to volunteer to any of my deployments. I have four deployments and every single one have been unit scheduled

Response by SSG Zenia Boswell made Mar 3 at 2014 9:59 AM

SSG Zenia Boswell — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 09:59:22 -0500

Sir, I have one deployment to Iraq for 15 months. Although I voluntarily enlisted, I found out that I was deploying as soon as I arrived at my first duty station in Fort Hood. This deployment has been the highlight of my career, because the cohesion that I had with my S1 Shop and Unit, are unmatched. I have since reenlisted to go to Korea, with a HAAP to Fort Campbell, and was rerouted to the NCR. When I was in Kyrgyzstan, I tried to PCS to Fort Campbell, but was assigned to the NCR. Personally, because I am single with no kids, I would have rather went to a unit that was deploying, so that I could give someone the opportunity to take a knee and enjoy their family.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Mar 3 at 2014 10:22 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:22:44 -0500

I have been on 3 deployments. 1 Army (Unit) deployment and 2 AF (individual) deployments. I volunteered in the aspect that from the first day I joined the military in 1986, I knew I was taking a calculated risk of going into hostile situations. For the specific deployments, Desert Storm was a unit deployment. I was in the unit. I deployed. Second one was to Iraq (individual). I was not jumping up and down saying "Pick me, Pick me"...but I was not doing anything to shirk it either. I was tasked, so I pressed on with it. The 3rd one was to Afghanistan, also individual. I was not jumping up and down to go, but I was involved in the decission making and the leadership, along with my input determined that I was the most right candidate in the situation. Due to me being involved, I can't exactly say I was NOT volunteering....but I also don't think I was screeming "pick me" either.... It was measuring the situation and trying to find the best fit....and I quickly relaized it was going to be me.

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Mar 3 at 2014 10:26 AM

CSM Michael Poll — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:26:33 -0500

I am punching out soon for my 11th and the answer to your question is yes to both!

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Mar 3 at 2014 11:05 AM

SFC Stephen P. — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 11:05:47 -0500

My 1 deployment to Bosnia was mandatory. The entire BN went.

When I volunteered for subsequent deployments, I was turned down numerous times.

My motivation to volunteer was because I was qualified, willing, and my commander asked for volunteers. To a lesser degree, I also thought the experience would help me better relate to the soldiers I am assigned to support.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2014 11:16 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 11:16:49 -0500

I have been raising my hand to volunteer for the past 5+ years. It finally paid off. I will deploy to Afghanistan later this year! I am extremely excited to have this opportunity and feel very lucky to be going with one of my closests friends as well.

Response by SFC Aaron Calmes made Mar 3 at 2014 9:10 PM

SFC Aaron Calmes — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 21:10:30 -0500

Two for me. One in Afghanistan (Alerted in Oct 2001 and Mob'd in Dec) was volunteer because even though it was a unit deployment we had way more people that wanted to go than slots available. After 9/11 everyone volunteered. Worst part was sitting at Bragg for four months because let's just say the deployment process for the Army Reserves at that point was non existent.

Second one was Iraq. Was only back in the US for 9 months but volunteered to go and had to sign a waiver to redeploy with less than 12 months homestation. It just felt like something I needed to do. We had a lot of new inexperienced people and I had experience when few did at that time. Got back in late 2004 but was picked up AGR recruiting in 2007. After three years there arrived to my current unit and have been off ramped twice (though whether they would have let me go at all as an AGR was never a definate).

Feels like I haven't done enough because my last ended over nine years ago and others have gone many times since then. I don't really count the short missions to Egypt or Indonesia since those were only 1-3 weeks.

Response by SSG Robert Blum made Mar 4 at 2014 10:49 AM

SSG Robert Blum — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 10:49:39 -0500

Sir I would have to Echo 1SG Hansen, in saying that in a way being in an all volunteer Army, I have in fact volunteered every single time, I may not want to go at the time, but an eager 18 year Old me knew what I was getting myself into, and between every reenlistment since I understand it all to well, and yet I continue to do it. With that said, My first two deployments both to Iraq, I just happened the new guy in a unit set to deploy. My third deployment I was on PCS orders and I was given an option, leave and see what happens, or Stay become a Leader, and serve with the Soldiers I had already gotten to know. I went. This Last deployment I had the unique opportunity to relieve a platoon from my own company with Soldiers that were once mine, I felt obligated (to them, their families, and the Soldiers I had at that time who were set to go, and I jumped up and down and stomped my feet and made all kinds of noise until I was heard and was added to the list. I even had to extend in Germany to make it happen. I would still be there If I wasn't cut short by the NATO draw down.

Iraq March 04- March 05 (Baghdad, Camp Liberty, Abu Guraib)

Iraq February 06- November 06 ( Camp Normandy)

Iraq June 2008- August 2009 (Baghdad, JSS Justice, COP 402)

Afghanistan July 2013- December 2013 (Kabul, HQ ISAF)

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Mar 11 at 2014 11:39 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 23:39:14 -0400

Volunteered gladly to go and validate years of training to see if it all worked! It did, however while deployed I did volunteer in country, both times working the USO and painting in clinics and hospitals.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2014 12:34 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 00:34:38 -0400

I have been deployed to Afghanistan three times:

2009 with VMA-214 "Blacksheep" to Kandahar Air Field on the Whisky Ramp.

2013 as an IA with Joint Threater Trauma System (JTTS) to Bastion Role 3 Hospital.

2014 as an IA with the NATO MMU Role 3 Hospital to Kandahar Air Field.

Response by Sgt Jack Lynch made Mar 18 at 2014 9:24 PM

Sgt Jack Lynch — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:24:49 -0400

When I was 17 my brother's unit was being activated to go to Iraq in 2007 (Al Anbar province). I graduated high school early in order to go to bootcamp and SOI before they left, and deployed with them as an 0311 in early 2008. Would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Response by PO2 John Breton made Mar 18 at 2014 9:24 PM

PO2 John Breton — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:24:58 -0400

I had no choice. I went where I was ordered to go.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2014 10:08 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 22:08:10 -0400

Voluntold, Deployed with PSU 308 to Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. Lived at Camp Spearhead. Visited Doha, KNB, and a few others. Had a blast! Ha, ha. Made lost a friends and brothers in arms.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 10:04 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 10:04:46 -0400

Afghanistan and Kuwait I went willing and happily I wanted the experience that was the most important

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2014 7:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 May 2014 19:04:48 -0400

Sir,

I volunteered to deploy, I was in a CSH (combat support hospital) fresh out of AIT and I wanted something more. Did good things at the CSH for 4 months and requested to deploy with a different unit because the CSH was not deploying and was granted. (Afghanistan)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2014 10:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Aug 2014 22:09:38 -0400

1 year to Iraq. I was volun-told

1 year abbreviated to 6 months to Afghanistan. I volunteered. I decided I wanted the money and the campaign medal.

Response by SrA David Holland made Dec 19 at 2014 12:34 PM

SrA David Holland — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 12:34:25 -0500

All volunteer, I love it. I have also been 3 times as a civilian and I want to go back again but cannot find a position there.