Understanding Extensive Military Deployments

Throughout the history of numerous military conflicts, some soldiers have served an extraordinarily high number of active deployments. These extensive deployments are driven by the demands of various operations, the nature of their missions, and the structure of the military units they serve in. This article explores the different circumstances under which soldiers serve multiple deployments and highlights the dedication and resilience of those who serve.

Career and Regular Servicemembers' Deployments

There are both career soldiers and regular servicemembers who have dedicated their entire careers to serving in multiple deployments. For instance, during the missions in Mogadishu, especially the well-known Black Hawk Down incident, or during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, career soldiers performed multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. This pattern was common for both infantrymen and support personnel who followed their infantry counterparts to various theaters of operation.

One distinctive aspect of American military deployments is the variation in deployment lengths. The U.S. Army typically had 10-16 month deployments, the U.S. Marines had 6 month deployments, and the U.S. Air Force had 3 month deployments or 4 such deployments equivalent to one Army deployment. This means a person with four Air Force deployments could have potentially served the equivalent of one Army deployment.

Special Operations Forces and Varied Deployments

Special operations forces, such as the Special Forces, Rangers, Delta Force, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations units, are particularly known for their extensive deployment schedules. These units often conduct numerous 90-day deployments, with some extending to a year or more. This is due to the nature of their missions and the need for specialized training and deployments that can last longer than conventional units.

According to a retired soldier, the deployment patterns were diverse and depended on individual units and operational needs. For example, before he retired, he served three Iraq tours, three Afghanistan tours, one tour in Kosovo for six months, one Africa mission for four months, and one South America mission for three months. These missions were focused on training and advising local forces. Additionally, he had participated in rotations to places like NTC (National Training Center) and JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center) for training purposes and exercises like War Eagle and JTF Pac.

The frequency of deployments can range from every other year in some cases. Some servicemembers became adept at working within the system to extend their tours and gain additional experience. They achieved this by leveraging their relationships, understanding the system, and providing essential skills that were in high demand.

Professionalism and Dedication

Service members who serve multiple deployments demonstrate a high level of dedication and professionalism. They often possess specialized skills that are crucial to the mission or are in high demand. For example, individuals with roles in Joint Tactical Air Control (J-TAC) or Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) had to remain highly available for missions due to the critical nature of their work.

One anecdote tells of a servicemember who successfully managed multiple years in Kosovo by cultivating relationships and problem-solving. His ability to work within the system allowed him to extend his tours, gaining valuable experience and recognition for his service.

Overall, the extensive service of soldiers during military deployments underscores the importance of their roles and the challenges they face. These deployments highlight the necessity of support systems and the readiness of the military to adapt and meet its operational requirements.