Why is it so hard to find a deployment??

2015-12-26T22:05:15-05:00

I've been trying since I enlisted, but I've had absolutely no luck. Any help out there?? 88M in the national guard.

Response by SPC Ryan Su made Dec 26 at 2015 10:08 PM

2015-12-26T22:08:50-05:00

Go for 11B

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Dec 26 at 2015 10:10 PM

2015-12-26T22:10:27-05:00

So you're saying you actually have a hard time getting deployed as a SPC in transportation? You could see about being augmented to a BSB or ASB on Ft Campbell during one of their cycles.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 10:17 PM

2015-12-26T22:17:20-05:00

You are just in the wrong MOS for current operations. There just aren't very many overland logistical convoys going on today. My recommendation would be to look into in-demand fields such as cyber warfare, civil affairs, and some of the communications fields, if you qualify.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 10:29 PM

2015-12-26T22:29:41-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member You and 10,000 others. Problem is there isn't that much of a call regardless of MOS. In 2009 there were OVER 3300 Wisconsin National Guard Troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Today there around 9800 troops from the whole DOD in Afghanistan, plus what we have deployed to the Middle East. The gig is over. Train hard and pray for war. I didn't say that, I just quoted it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 10:30 PM

2015-12-26T22:30:04-05:00

Depends on other units MTOWS. Go active duty, you'll see a deployment. Especially in a transportation unit. DD 368 Conditional Release Form. That's what I did, saw a deployment my first 6 months in active.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 10:34 PM

2015-12-26T22:34:11-05:00

You picked the wrong service. The Navy deploys every three to five months for the remainder of the year, respectively!!! (I know what you're talking about, but I thought I'd toss this in for Ss and Gs!!!)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 10:46 PM

2015-12-26T22:46:53-05:00

The days of constant deployments are over. At least for now.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Dec 26 at 2015 11:06 PM

2015-12-26T23:06:58-05:00

It's pretty clear in the news that combat operations are winding down. That plus you are in the National Guard make it less likely. Check out the Army's Tour of Duty site to see if they have any individual augmentee positions for rank and MOS.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2015 11:31 PM

2015-12-26T23:31:16-05:00

Tell me about it... I've got a Commo MOS and I stalk the MOB site like it was my job. Keep an ear out and most of all be patient. If you run out of that, go active.

Response by SPC Rory J. Mattheisen made Dec 27 at 2015 12:38 AM

2015-12-27T00:38:24-05:00

Be careful what you wish for.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 27 at 2015 12:41 AM

2015-12-27T00:41:23-05:00

Welcome to Garrison-mode. Things are winding down for now. Where I was at last I was pretty certain to stay stateside. Made me hate the billet I had taken. I had went back to back Sea Duty to get a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployment and got welded to NC instead. Had I known the situation is have tried to jump to another ship instead. I was able to drop papers and retire - and so I did. I'll miss the active duty life but it was time to move on.

Response by SSG Katherine Likely made Dec 27 at 2015 3:27 AM

2015-12-27T03:27:37-05:00

i got friendly with the person that puts out and decides who will be deployed at the headquarters company when i was in the California Army national guard. Can't remember his name.

When i was in the navy it was the same mos that made the call - go to the headquarters department make some inquires and tell the person you would like deployment even if isn't with your unit.

Usually they are short deployments - i did a month in Germany - then it can be as long as 3 months - that was on the California border with the border patrol - just depends where they can utilize your mos. If you tell the person that you are willing to work outside your mos then prospects go up further. Lets say a company is deploying somewhere but they need a pencil pusher or someone to pick up the slack in supply.

As long as you are willing to learn, willing to go anywhere with any company there should be no problems.

Response by 1LT Ryan Millican made Dec 27 at 2015 8:45 AM

2015-12-27T08:45:58-05:00

Check of Tour of Duty, probably not many "deployments" on there but there's a lot of opportunities for orders on there. Remember when you're looking you can go one up on rank.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 10:14 AM

2015-12-27T10:14:23-05:00

Have you tried looking for something on Tour of Duty?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 10:27 PM

2015-12-27T22:27:34-05:00

Your best bet is to reclass for a deployment if you can't find one as an 88M

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2015 12:42 AM

2015-12-28T00:42:10-05:00

Go active :D

Response by SSG Darian Jones made Dec 28 at 2015 11:51 AM

2015-12-28T11:51:37-05:00

Try a MIT team if they still have them or are using them now.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Dec 28 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-12-28T12:11:52-05:00

Though outdated, this has been discussed in the past. Perhaps you can find some useful information here. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/deployment-opportunities

Deployment Opportunities | RallyPoint

Does anyone know of any opportunities for a deployment? I knew that not too long ago the Army was asking for AD, USAR, and NG soldiers to volunteer as MRAP operators and I was wondering if anyone knew of something in addition to that. Thank you in advance!

Response by SSG Jeanette Arizaga made Dec 29 at 2015 5:38 AM

2015-12-29T05:38:57-05:00

If you have good line scores And can get your security clearance your best bet is too reclass for a deployment.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 7:34 AM

2015-12-29T07:34:28-05:00

Use Mobcop.army.mil to look for mobs and deployments. Best of luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 7:36 AM

2015-12-29T07:36:31-05:00

Go talk to the Active Army Recruiter.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 8:06 AM

2015-12-29T08:06:44-05:00

Go the the HRC website there is tab you can click on to put yourself on a list

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 8:52 AM

2015-12-29T08:52:29-05:00

The US and the west have entered into a state of perpetual war. If you really want to participate (why anyone in their right mind would, I have no idea--but you tote that goat if it makes you happy), join SF or Delta.

Just be careful what you wish for. I have a total of 51 months spent in Iraq, and I would give up every minute spent over there for those 4,400+ servicemembers to still be alive, the 29,000+ to have whole bodies again, and the 100,000+ Iraqi citizens to be alive and with their families.

Response by MAJ David Kline made Dec 29 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-12-29T09:46:21-05:00

I feel your frustration and can't give you any guidance. I enlisted in August 1990 to go kill Sadam. I'm retiring in January 2016 with only ONE combat deployment on my DD-214. I volunteered for the first Gulf War, Somalia in 1992, and have only had one deployment to Afghanistan, and that was 7 years ago. It is ironic. There are many on this site who have more deployments than they can count. There are some who never wanted to deploy but had to. There are some who have looked for deployment but found few to none.

It is easy for a combat vet to tell you something like "be careful what you wish for" or "you don't want to do that". But, each of us has reasons for wanting to test our metal. I won't tell you "be careful what you wish for". I'll tell you that I fully understand your wanting to go and hope it works out for you in the end.

Good luck brother.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-12-29T10:00:30-05:00

Have you tried going on the Tour of Duty - MOBOP website https://mobcop.army.mil. There are a lot of tours out there...CONUS and OCONUS. It helps if you contact those requesting the personnel too.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 10:16 AM

2015-12-29T10:16:49-05:00

Have you been on TOD? go to mobcop.army.mil, all the deployments are listed there, it requires cac login. May not increase your odds though. I was told all medics deploy eventually but I've volunteered for absolutely everything that wasn't rank or mos specific (since either everybody has their own medics or nobody seems to think they need medics) I have yet to go anywhere either

Response by 1SG Timothy Trewin made Dec 29 at 2015 11:02 AM

2015-12-29T11:02:49-05:00

The problem for you is that the deployment well has all but dried up as of right now. Couple that with the fact that you are National Guard and your chances of deploying grow slimmer by the day. Not that there is anything wrong with the National Guard it is just that the DoD tends to want to deploy Active Duty first which is what they are doing. Now anything can happen in the coming year and beyond so the key is to continue to train for war and if you are called upon to deploy you will be ready to go. The world is still a dangerous place.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 11:29 AM

2015-12-29T11:29:27-05:00

be patient
the deployments will be coming shortly

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Dec 29 at 2015 12:06 PM

2015-12-29T12:06:05-05:00

I'm an 88M in the Reserve, and for those looking to deploy, you will in all likelihood have to reclass to fit openings in units that are deploying as some of my buddies have done/are doing. The other possibility might be to go Active as 88M as I'm sure you may have heard already, but even then, understand its not like it was 3, 4, 5 years ago. There's not as great a need for 88Ms downrange these days.
Good luck.

Response by SGT Jacob Graves made Dec 29 at 2015 1:16 PM

2015-12-29T13:16:19-05:00

I've deployed 3 times. When I'm here stateside I feal like I'm on foreign soil. Iraq deals more like my home than my own country. I wake up in puddles of sweat almost nightly. When I came back from my last deployment my kids didn't know me and were scared of me. I had to sleep dressed because I would do perimeter sweeps around my house in what ever I fell astleep in. I miss my exit because i followed the car in front of me too far thinking I was in a convoy. I get angry over the smallest stuff because of one of my triggers.

I said that just to give you an idea of some of the shit I have to deal with in my day to day from deployments. Don't go looking for war. Stay in long enough and it will find you. Enjoy being able to go to the mall. Enjoy being at a party.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 1:47 PM

2015-12-29T13:47:31-05:00

Have you tried gko and looked on "tour of duty"? It will list tours and active duty assignments available to national guard by mos even.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 8:39 PM

2015-12-29T20:39:56-05:00

Stop wishing , for your life to be put on the line. Things happen , for a reason, 88M right now is a very dangerous job, and your life could end, or be screwed up, by just transporting bottled water. Not getting deployed does not make you less of a soldier. If , for sometime in the future you do get deployed , God bless, and take care of your self, and your Army buddies.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 8:51 PM

2015-12-29T20:51:08-05:00

I have been in the Army for over 22 years and did not deploy until I hit 10 years. There has never been a time when the military has gone 20 years without a conflict of some sort. Be patient but don't ever wish for something you will regret in the long run.

Response by SSG Michael Montoya made Dec 29 at 2015 9:22 PM

2015-12-29T21:22:01-05:00

Go active and enjoy back to back to back deployments......lol

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 10:35 PM

2015-12-29T22:35:10-05:00

Have you tried getting on Tour of Duty.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 10:55 PM

2015-12-29T22:55:11-05:00

If I were you, try going Active, and then call Branch and see if you can get into an FSC (Forward Support Company). Usually, if you're in an FSC, you could volunteer. If you don't want to go Active, call Branch and explain your situation. See if you would be able to volunteer with a unit deploying.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 30 at 2015 12:04 AM

2015-12-30T00:04:27-05:00

Have you tried enlisting RA?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 1:20 AM

2015-12-30T01:20:57-05:00

Go active and joint my unit ... I'm trying not to find them ... I've had enough!!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 2:50 AM

2015-12-30T02:50:19-05:00

I know what you mean; I have over four years on active duty (3 years 4th BCT 10th Mountain Div, 1.5 years HHBn, XVIII Airborne Corps) and zero deployments.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but believe me when I say you don't want to deploy. Not because of the intense environment (isn't that what we all signed up for?), but because we have been in Iraq and Afghanistan so long there are even more stupid bureaucratic rules in theater than there are stateside. When I was in 4/10 my unit deployed BN and BDE staff officers to Afghanistan but not company-level combatants; since I was a platoon leader I did not go. When my friends (on BN staff) returned they talked about their biggest worry on base: being screamed at for not wearing a PT belt during the day, or other items of sheer stupidity.

I joined the Army to "deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat," and I'm sure you did too. I still wanted to deploy, but felt much less disappointed after my friends told me about what a three ring circus deployed life has become to impress the high brass.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 11:40 AM

2015-12-30T11:40:23-05:00

also got to T.O.D. (tour of duty)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 12:07 PM

2015-12-30T12:07:59-05:00

Because you're an 88M in the National Guard

Response by SSG Delanda Hunt made Dec 30 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-12-30T13:09:26-05:00

Join Delta Force

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 30 at 2015 3:28 PM

2015-12-30T15:28:07-05:00

The size of the deployments are going down.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-12-31T19:14:21-05:00

Not all that hard, just depends on what you consider "deployment".

If you are wishing for some big shootout Modern Warfare experience, then stop by your local VA, check in with the psychologist. Its not like checking the block for manhood or anything.
If that is what you joined to do 2 things happened, you picked the wrong entity, and you have the wrong MOS.

If you just want to go do something, check out pfi.dod.mil/
This has to be cleared through your Command.
Every State and Territory has something going on at some point. We have a Battalion about to go to XXXXXX again. There is always something happening somewhere and always looking for volunteers.
Your own State might have a mission about to kick off but chances are the average joe or jane is unaware.

Response by SPC Mark Burle made Dec 31 at 2015 9:25 PM

2015-12-31T21:25:25-05:00

Just keep training and keep volunteering. Look at possibly getting another MOS. You never know what will happen in the future so continue to be patient.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2015 9:29 PM

2015-12-31T21:29:45-05:00

National Guard--like many reserve units--have a longer rotation life cycle than those of us on active duty in rapid-deploy divisions (1ID,3ID, 82nd & 101st, 1CD etc.) Want to deploy? Go to an Active/reserve recruiting center and request a DD Form 368 to begin transferring to the federal side of the house. Your deployments while in the guard rest on your state governor's shoulders to say he/she will send anyone at all.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 12:40 PM

2016-01-04T12:40:27-05:00

My guess would be because we use host country nationals to drive jingle trucks.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 3:40 PM

2016-01-04T15:40:37-05:00

look up tour of duty and personal forces innovation for opportunities. Most are for higher ranks.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 11:27 PM

2016-01-04T23:27:49-05:00

Limited numbers deployed these days.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2016 7:31 AM

2016-01-06T07:31:49-05:00

You can login on tour of duty, you may find some deployments,

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2016 7:33 AM

2016-01-06T07:33:05-05:00

Try tour of duty they have a few deployments posted.

Response by 1SG John Rembert made Jan 7 at 2016 12:13 PM

2016-01-07T12:13:55-05:00

Do not rush finding a deployment. It will happen in time If it is meant to be. Please take time to think why do you need to find a deployment so fast????

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 22 at 2018 10:06 PM

2018-04-22T22:06:47-04:00

What? NG in my state almost always has folks gone- they problem maybe the most of the time it is unit deployment, and your unit may be way down the roster for reasons we don't know about.