Which Branch Will Less Likely Ship you to Iraq, Navy or Airforce?

Question

I can't decide which branch to choose from. I really don't want to end up in Iraq but I know there is a possibility I might end up their. Both Branches offer a career that I am currently interested in but I can't make that final decision. Like I said don't want to end up in Iraq. Plz give you thoughts!

Because A lot of people continue to ask I am interested in in broadcast journalism!

It's not that I am scared, I just don't believe in the cause, but I really don't want to get into that!

Answer 1

if you don't believe in the cause PLEASE don't join the fight!!
B-

Answer 2

The Navy have a lower chance of being deployed to Iraq unless you're a medic. The drawback is that instead of being in the middle of Iraq, you could spend your time on a ship in the Persian Gulf and have to worry about Iran pulling something. So either way, it's about the same. It might help a little more if you clarified what career field you are planning on going into. Some career fields, Security Forces, Weather, and TACP, among others have a high deployment rate to Iraq. What career field you have in mind might help narrow down an answer from someone who's in that job right now.

Answer 3

To tell you the truth, the two are close. If I knew what field of work you were getting into I could tell you more. The Navy I know is sending about 10% of their reserve force and MAYBE 4-5% of active force. Considering there are 350,000 est. people in the active duty Navy and around 160,000 in Navy Reserve, that's small. If you are looking at Construction/Civil Eng. fields, Special Forces, Security or Medical Fields, your chances are higher for both branches. If your getting into other fields, then the closest you get to Iraq in the Navy is 30 miles off the coast in a steel armored, highly sophisticated, self defending "vehicle", with air conditioning, warm meals, internet, movies, games, etc. Yes I'm in the Navy, but I live in Japan, stationed on the USS John S. McCain and will never see the Middle East on this ship unless something VERY dramatic happens with Iran. Our biggest purpose right now is missile defense for Japan, Hawaii, and mainland U.S. Hope this helps. Just don't let a Navy recruiter tell you about the Air Force and don't let an Air Force Recruiter tell you about the Navy...you get the idea.

Answer 4

Well, you have to look at the job you are going for. I am in the Navy as a Corpsman (medical field). We provide medical services for the Marines so we deploy to Iraq constantly. As a Broadcast Journalist I would think that you would be assigned to cover big news stories. I'm sure that either service (Navy & Air Force) have sombat correspondents in country. So, I think that your chances of going to Iraq are pretty good whichever branch you choose. I believe that the Air Force has a shorter deplyment length but I'm not positive. Good Luck.

Answer 5

Don't enlist with your attitude. Once you take the oath, you become the property of Uncle Sam. You don't have a say where you go or what you do. After you say "I do", they can put a rifle in your hand the send you anywhere they want for the length of your contract.
Don't be fooled thinking you will be safe not going to Iraq. Ships are dangerous places to live and work. You may be underway for many months working long hours. If you want to be sitting in an office pushing papers in a safe environment, don't join. The military doesn't need "passengers". All those in uniform need to contribute to the mission.

ps. President Bush was a fighter pilot flying an aircraft with a high failure rate. A small percentage of those in uniform ever see combat. Don't demean those served their country in non-combat areas.

Answer 6

Whether or not you go depends on what kind of 'job' you take. I was a nuclear power plant technician in the Navy, and there was exactly zero chance of me ending up in Iraq. Most of the shipboard jobs are that way. Your boat will do circles in the Persian Gulf, but you won't actually get off in Iraq. And U.S. Navy ships haven't seen ship to ship combat since WWII.

Answer 7

There is a high chance that either one will send you there. All of our armed forces are on the ground in Iraq. The Navy has a program called Individual Augmentation (IA), which are sailors with skills that are needed in some of the camps in Iraq and many other countries surrounding it. Most IA sailors come from sailors that are on shore duty. If you take sea duty after your initial training, you will likely deploy to the area, but you will be on the ship, miles away from the coastline.

Answer 8

Any branch of the military will deploy you if you sign up now. Congress just re-allowed the funding for Iraq...with no timetable for pullout. However, I believe the Navy (if you are ship-bound) is a lot less likely to have you "on the ground" in Iraq. It really depends on what "career" you are signing up for. If you are special forces in any branch, they will put you on the ground (ie in Iraq)

Answer 9

What is your career of interest if it is a pilot then the navy is the safe bet because you have to also learn to land on carriers and that takes longer to do. anyway the Navy is Based on boats so you probably won't go on shore in Iraq if you get sent.

Answer 10

Well, my husband is in the middle of Iraq (he is army) with about 15 Navy guys with them. The air force certainly NOT on patrols BUT they do have aircraft crash or shot down. Its up to you. Investigate the jobs you are interested in, do lots of realistic research BEFORE you sign up, don't let the recruiters suck you in until you are POSITIVE you know what you feel like is good enough knowledge for you to join whichever branch you want.

Answer 11

If you don't want or are scared to fight a war, then most likely you shouldn't join the military. But if I must answer your question the Navy probably wont send you TO iraq.