Volunteer to go to Iraq?

Question

Is it possible to volunteer to go to Iraq? I have been contemplating about it lately as I approach enlisting into the Armed Services. Also, how many times can you be deployed to Iraq under a four year enlistment? I have been speaking to some people about Ft. Hood's program it is trying to implement. Basically it's first year is to fill the spots, get everything ready, etc. Second year is training, making sure the units can work as a team, etc. Third year is deployment. Once back from deployment the cycle restarts. Any comments/opinions/questions?

Thank You

Answer 1

My husband has been in the Army 4 years and this is his time line: 8 months AIT, 4 months Ft Hood, 12 months Iraq, 1 year Ft Hood (of which he spent a total of 12 weeks int eh filed over 4 different times), 6 months Ft Stewart, 2 months TDY Ft Huachucah, 5 months Ft Stewart. Currently deployed to Iraq for a year. So of that time, he has spent about 22 months in our home. So in a little over 5 years he will have spent 3 of it gone and he is lucky. o commend you for what you want to do. Just make sure you are aware that no one can guarantee you anything. But if you really want to join the military full heartily. that probably won't matter to you.

Answer 2

1. You can request assignment to a unit spinning up to go over when you finish AIT. Your 1Sgt will give you a talking to, but they'll put in your paperwork. Tell your recuiter if you want, but otherwise keep that crap to yourself till the end of AIT or you're going to get lit up by an instructor for being a stupid immature kid that needs to get his brain straight before you get one of the professionals around you killed.

2. The cycle & rotation program has been changing over the last year (guard especially). What you describe is close to what I've seen, but I don't know much details.

3. I heard from a guy recently who had just been discharged after 4.5 years & spent two years deployed. At the same time, in all the rotations 50% of the army has NEVER been deployed to Afghan or any part of the mid-east since 9/11. Really no way to know for sure. Your MOS & Div you assign to will make a lot of the difference in if & how oftern you deploy. If you want tobe gone a lot, pick Inf or Engineer in the 82nd Abn, 101st Abn, or 10th Mtn.

Nice to see you motivated. Good luck. Ask these questions on Military.com.

Answer 3

my husband has been in army for 9 years he has already done 3 tours in iraq since the war has started he has lost his friends and it has caused his family a lot of heartache wondering about him everyday the first time he was sent it was on orders the second time he volunteered the third time he came on orders again its a war we dont need to be in and losing too many young men and women. the army doesnt care if you work as a team they dont care if you die they will just find someone else to put in your spot but if you wanna volunteer army national gaurd or marines is a good way to go, my husband brother graduated from marine boot camp 6 months later he was sent to iraq so you could be there faster than u think good luck

Answer 4

I'm active duty Air Force and yes you can do volunteer works, I did it once spend 365 days in Iraq at undisclosed locations been back in the states for a little bit now, threw up another request to go and I recieved it again for December, but like someone above me answered it depends a lot of your MOS(military position) If you're infantry, MP, mechanic, food services, jobs like this and you'll be spending your time in the sand without volunteering.

Answer 5

That three-year cycle is what every unit in the Army is trying to go to. I think when you're in basic you still get to give them a wish list of duty stations, pick a unit with high rates of deployment (101st or 82d airborne, etc) or a unit that is already there or about to go. Either way, you'll probly be there soon so I wouldn't worry too much about it if that's what you want. Good luck!

Answer 6

It seems that you are getting lots of strong opinions about the military and the situation in Iraq from people who are not in the military , or have been to Iraq.
Seek information (form your own opinion) from individuals who actually have the knowledge you seek.
I am directly aware of individuals already in the US military who have volunteered, and have been accepted to serve in SW Asia. I also get semi-regular emails and video from people actually serving in SW Asia, and they paint, in general, quite a different picture from the media version, (whose reporters almost never leave the Green Zone. )

Answer 7

Fighting for a cause can be commendable. But when the cause is profit and personal vindictiveness, I suggest that you have a re-think. If all you want is to become a trained proffessional killer, then go ahead, but remember - like when we were at school; if you want to play with the big boys, you don't cry if you get hurt.

Answer 8

I can't answer your question, but thank you for being a real American and feeling the need to defend your country.

If you do go to Iraq, you will be in my prayers along with all of the other military.

Answer 9

u got some guts bro wanting to go to iraq from all the killings beheadings etc. but i,m proud of u man i say volunter and kick some a s s.

Answer 10

Why would you want to do that? Helping your country in general is wonderful, but your country is in a mess in Iraq, and I don't think you should go there. My apologies if this is not the answer you wanted.