Chance of Deployment [Merged]

[Denty618]

I am im the middle of the application proccess and I am more than excited to join up. Yeah I'm a little nervous but it wouldn't be human not too be. I really want to be part of LdSh recce but I understand that I may be placed in a different regiment. My question is, will I ever get to actually deploy? Will I ever be directly aiding people wether its through recce missions or voluntary disaster recovery(hurricanes etc). Don't thrash me over not knowing the proper terms, im still learning but my parents are hippies and kept me away from anything remotely military all my life. Hell I wasn't even allowed to play call of duty until I was 16 and even then they would limit how often I could play. If I had it my way, I would spend 6 months deployed and 6 at the regiment. Thanks

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[The Bread Guy]

I'm confused by two different bits of your post:  this bit ....

... Will I ever be directly aiding people wether its through recce missions or voluntary disaster recovery(hurricanes etc) ... If I had it my way, I would spend 6 months deployed and 6 at the regiment.

... and this bit from your thread title:

I don't want to kill ...

I'm not trying to be difficult, but I just want to be clear:  are you saying that you're keen on "recce missions" (where one of your jobs will be to find bad guys for you or others to kill), and you'd like to be "deployed", but you don't want to kill people?  Or would you prefer not to kill people?  Or you could never kill someone?

I ask what seems like a dopey question because each of those key words in yellow make a difference.

If you're of the green persuasion, know that killing people is the last resort in most military missions -- but it IS one tool in the tool belt that the government expects you to use if needed.

If you're of the yellow persuasion, it's up to you to think hard & decide whether to keep working toward doing a job where you may be called on to use lethal force - kill people - to get the job done.

If you're of the red persuasion, the CAF can do humanitarian work, but its main job is to be able to, when called on by the government, apply force - up to and including lethal force - to get a job the government wants done.  Sometimes that job is humanitarian, sometimes it's stopping people from doing bad things.  But if you truly, honestly think you can't kill someone, you will not likely be able to do the job - and by not killing someone when it needs to be done, you could cause other people to get killed.

Think hard, and good luck.

 

[Denty618]

I'm confused by two different bits of your post:  this bit ....... and this bit from your thread title:I'm not trying to be difficult, but I just want to be clear:  are you saying that you're keen on "recce missions" (where one of your jobs will be to find bad guys for you or others to kill), and you'd like to be "deployed", but you don't want to kill people?  Or would you prefer not to kill people?  Or you could never kill someone?

I ask what seems like a dopey question because each of those key words in yellow make a difference.

If you're of the green persuasion, know that killing people is the last resort in most military missions -- but it IS one tool in the tool belt that the government expects you to use if needed.

If you're of the yellow persuasion, it's up to you to think hard & decide whether to keep working toward doing a job where you may be called on to use lethal force - kill people - to get the job done.

If you're of the red persuasion, the CAF can do humanitarian work, but its main job is to be able to, when called on by the government, apply force - up to and including lethal force - to get a job the government wants done.  Sometimes that job is humanitarian, sometimes it's stopping people from doing bad things.  But if you truly, honestly think you can't kill someone, you will not likely be able to do the job - and by not killing someone when it needs to be done, you could cause other people to get killed.

Think hard, and good luck.

I get how that could be misleading. I would never take a life unless I felt it was important. I do believe in a necessary evil, that killing someone could lead to the safety of many more. It's something nobody should want to do, but If I had to do it I would. Im just not going to go looking for it but I know in the trade I want its very possible I would have to, and thats okay with me. In a perfect world I would never have to take a life, but this world is far from perfect and I want to do my part to change that.

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[brihard]

I get how that could be misleading. I would never take a life unless I felt it was important. I do believe in a necessary evil, that killing someone could lead to the safety of many more. It's something nobody should want to do, but If I had to do it I would. Im just not going to go looking for it but I know in the trade I want its very possible I would have to, and thats okay with me. In a perfect world I would never have to take a life, but this world is far from perfect and I want to do my part to change that.

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Sounds like you've got your head on straight. Training will help sort the rest out.

Recognize that although our armoured regiments do carry a reconnaissance task, that is simply one mission profile and skillset they have. They are still a combat oriented force- in conventional warfare, part of the job of a recce screen is to brutally destroy the enemy's recce screen ahead of the main force. In Afghanistan our reconnaissance companies were doing many of the same tasks as the rifle companies, killing bad guys, and taking casualties themselves. The role of the military is to develop, maintain, and if necessary employ its unique capacity to kill people and break their stuff in defense of the national interest under the lawful direction of the civil authority. Any and all trades may need to do this with the exception of the chaplaincy- even our medics are trained and expected to bear arms and use them.

 

[mariomike]

When I appeared before the draft board examiner during World War II, he asked me if I
thought I could kill. “I don’t know about strangers,” I replied, “but friends, certainly.”
– Oscar Levant

My question is, will I ever get to actually deploy?

Possibility of deployment
https://army.ca/forums/threads/124754/post-1467061.html#msg1467061

Can someone throw me a friggin deployment????!!! 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/103498.0

Chances of Deployment ?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/105273.0

Deployment Tempo 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/39949.25
2 pages.

What's best for Deployment opportunities
http://army.ca/forums/threads/81264.0
3 pages.

Deployment probabilities 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/104102.0
2 pages

Curious about deployment rates if anyone can help?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/121073.0

Voluntary Deployment??? 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/98932.0

Wanna join, but what if I don't wanna deploy? (merged)
http://army.ca/forums/threads/89177.0/nowap.html
4 pages

Reserves and Deployment 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/102409.0
2 pages.

Deployment Tempo 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/39949.0/nowap.html
2 pages.

TOURS AS NCM INF PRIVATE
http://army.ca/forums/threads/122685.0

Deployment length?
http://army.ca/forums/threads/110691.0

Deployment duration
http://army.ca/forums/threads/36345.0
2 pages.

Timeframe before deployment for infantry res
http://army.ca/forums/threads/110399.0/nowap.html

BMQ to Deployment Timeline 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/87928.0

Deployment
https://army.ca/forums/threads/104765.0

deployment/rotation length
http://army.ca/forums/threads/62699.0/nowap.html
9 pages.

etc...

See also,

Operations update
"The Canadian Armed Forces operations monthly public affairs narrative is designed to give an up-to-date overview of ongoing Canadian Armed Forces missions in Canada, North America and around the world."
http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations/update.page

Date modified: 2016-12-02

 

[daftandbarmy]

I am im the middle of the application proccess and I am more than excited to join up. Yeah I'm a little nervous but it wouldn't be human not too be. I really want to be part of LdSh recce but I understand that I may be placed in a different regiment. My question is, will I ever get to actually deploy? Will I ever be directly aiding people wether its through recce missions or voluntary disaster recovery(hurricanes etc). Don't thrash me over not knowing the proper terms, im still learning but my parents are hippies and kept me away from anything remotely military all my life. Hell I wasn't even allowed to play call of duty until I was 16 and even then they would limit how often I could play. If I had it my way, I would spend 6 months deployed and 6 at the regiment. Thanks

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Speaking as an Infantry guy, I thought that Patton once described the role of armoured recce pretty well: "Just drive down that road, until you get blown up”. For impressions about other kinds of activities that the armoured corps may be called upon to perform in wartime, I would suggest that you might want to watch 'Fury'.

In situations short of general war, they'll wind up shoveling sand into bags and handing out pencils to kids, just like the rest of us.

It's important to be ready, willing and able to do all of these things well, of course.

 

[Mouthstring]

Sorry if this has been posted before but I couldn't find a recent one on this subject. Ive always wanted to join the military and now that I'm 20 I've been seriously considering it for quite a while. I understand that a big part of the job is just boring stuff and cleaning exc.. but I was wondering what the possibilities of deployment are? I'm fine with the cleaning for however long I just don't want my ENTIRE  career in the military to be just doing chores. I want to be able to deploy and see party of the world and work hard doing things that are really important. As much as I hate it after the fact, I like to push myself when I work and put myself in physically demanding positions. So again, I wanted to know what possibilities of deployment (anywhere at all) are? Weather that's that's going out in the field and sitting around doing chores or going on missions anywhere (even if they're not dangerous). And before you comment saying it's shit and I'm gonna hate it later and I'm just some kid that doesn't know what he's talking about, I've always wanted to generally go out and help. Everyone I admire are the people who go out and fight for us and I want to be able to be there with them and help them do what they do. Thanks for the answers.

 

[PuckChaser]

Deployments depend on your trade, your rank, your element, your fitness/medical status, what unit you're posted to, whether you're good at your job and a whole host of other factors. There are far too many variables to tell you exactly how often you'll be gone. Be prepared to deploy, but don't think a deployment is owed to you or disappointed when someone gets picked ahead of you and you'll be just fine.

Here's where we are now: http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations/current.page which could change in sometimes less than 24 hours notice.

 

[RocketRichard]

Excellent points and info by PC and MM. When I first joined deployments were beyond the pale rare. To a soldier we were raring to go but alas not much was happening, except for the very real threat of the Cold War becoming Hot. After I released from the reg force deployments became the norm. Buddies of mine have been to Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia, Haiti, Afghanistan etc.  Some have been to all of the above.  Going on a deployment is what we train for but if it doesn't happen it doesn't happen.


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[Eye In The Sky]

If you want to join a trade that is operationally focused, doesn't involve 'cleaning stuff' most of the time and will almost guarantee deployments, the RCAF may have the trade just for you.

Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator (AES Op)  (Just to note, Aurora crews are rarely, if ever, 20 in total.  That is the max we can fly with total, if we bring Techs, etc along on a trip and they are coming Aurora Air.  10-12 would be more realistic for crew size)

Not counting exercises and training away trips, I've done 7 *named Ops* deployments in the past 35 months after qualifying on the new systems we have.  Some of those trips have been to really nice spots, some to sandy spots.  But if you're looking for involvement in ops, deployments, I can't think of a better trade to recommend.  And there is Specialist pay in our trade and Aircrew Allowance for those in flying positions as well. 

 

[medicineman]

See if you can join the Irish Army - they deploy all the time and it's part of your contract that you must deploy on at least one or two tours - they go on peacekeeping ops to many horrible places in the world...and don't brag about it.

MM

 

[dimsum]

In a similar vein to AESOP, Air Combat Systems Officers (ACSO, formerly Air Navigators) also deploy quite a bit, especially in the Long Range Patrol and Maritime Helicopter environments. 

 

[wilkins0310]

My boyfriend has been in the military for two years now and hasn't yet gotten deployed. He keeps expressing that he is "excited" to get his deployment he has actually used the term excited often and that it would he "good news". I have mixed emotions about this and questions - is this a normal? I am struggling because I am not close with any military members so I don't have anyone to ask or reference. I understand it is important for his career but I don't understand how he can say he is excited or happy about getting deployed for six months to kuwait or somewhere else. Some insight would be appreciated and thoughts and feelings military members had prior to their first deployment to give me some perspective. Its difficult for me to not take it personally so before jumping to that I wanted to get an idea from some of you

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Hi...I can understand the mixed emotions...how can he be "excited" when it means you'll be apart. 

Compare it to...a new contractor getting his/her first home to build, or a newly trained firefighter who is "excited" when the bell rings for their first real fire.

It's a chance to put the training you have to use "for real", it usually means making some extra money and is usually good for a members career and development.

 

[JesseWZ]

My boyfriend has been in the military for two years now and hasn't yet gotten deployed. He keeps expressing that he is "excited" to get his deployment he has actually used the term excited often and that it would he "good news". I have mixed emotions about this and questions - is this a normal? I am struggling because I am not close with any military members so I don't have anyone to ask or reference. I understand it is important for his career but I don't understand how he can say he is excited or happy about getting deployed for six months to kuwait or somewhere else. Some insight would be appreciated and thoughts and feelings military members had prior to their first deployment to give me some perspective. Its difficult for me to not take it personally so before jumping to that I wanted to get an idea from some of you

Hi Wilkins,

You are not the first or only one to feel this. When I got my first deployment, I was quite excited and my wife was understandably nervous and struggled with my excitement. Eye in the Sky is quite accurate that for the military member - we train and train and develop skills over a period of (usually) years. Depending on the trade or occupation, a deployment may be the first time those skills are put to "use" outside of a training environment.

Others may chime in and are better able to word-smith here but there is also a large cultural emphasis the military puts on deployments - "who you are and where ya been" becomes part of your military identity and those who haven't deployed sometimes feel "less than" even if they haven't deployed through no fault of their own.

In short, it's normal he is excited and it's normal that you aren't! Somewhere, you'll meet in the middle. Once the lead up starts, he (and you) will likely receive resources through the local MFRC which will help you stay in touch with other spouses and families whose members are on similar (if not the same) deployment.

 

[wilkins0310]

Hi...I can understand the mixed emotions...how can he be "excited" when it means you'll be apart. 

Compare it to...a new contractor getting his/her first home to build, or a newly trained firefighter who is "excited" when the bell rings for their first real fire.

It's a chance to put the training you have to use "for real", it usually means making some extra money and is usually good for a members career and development.

I feel I should add he is an MP and only joined the military to get policing experience - he has been conflicted about his career whether he will continue the military route or switch over to civvy policing (which was his original plan). He has talked about the future career wise both military side and civvy side. A lot of what I've been hearing is that deployment is finally the chance to put your trade or what you have been trained to do in action. He is working as an MP shift work for the last year.

 

[AKa]

For many of us in uniform, deployment is the pinnacle of service.  It is interesting, and it's something that you just don't get to do in most jobs.  He's likely been hearing others telling the weird/exciting/funny/sad/tragic stories of their deployments and he wants some vivid experiences of his own.  It really is a chance to do something extraordinary.  It doesn't always work out that way, but it's usually at least interesting.

He's not excited about the prospect of being away from you, he's excited about an opportunity that's not available to all. 

And if it's any comfort, it is my belief that deployments do not damage solid relationships.  They do however, tend to expose issues that have been glossed over until that point.

Cheers,

AK

 

[fishtooth87]

Hey everyone,

So I am in the process of applying but still narrowing down my choices of positions.

I want to be deployed eventually, Main positions I wanted are combat engineer or infantry.

What combat type position would be most likely to be deployed?

Anyone have any idea what conflicts we might be involved in coming up etc?

I appreciate any help

 

[mariomike]

I want to be deployed eventually,

What combat type position would be most likely to be deployed?

For discussion of chance of deployment, see also,

Chance of Deployment [Merged]
https://army.ca/forums/threads/39949.175
8 pages.