Deployment Rates on Bases

[ProudMomma&ArmyWife]

My husband is switching from the National Guard to active duty Army. Because of the limited MOS openings for prior service, we do not know what his MOS will be yet. We are trying to research different bases for our "wish list", even though we know that there is a possibility that we will be assigned a base not even on the list.
One factor we are looking at is how recently the units on different bases have been deployed. I DO NOT want to know the exact unit or dates they were gone b/c I know that's an OPSEC no-no. I just want to know if the base you are stationed at/have been to deploys often, or if they have recently returned from a deployment. My husband has been home 18 months since his last deployment and is now able to be deployed again, so we are hoping to get stationed somewhere that doesn't deploy as often or just returned home. (That might seem a little selfish, but we have 2 children under the age of 2 and he really doesn't want to miss so many of their firsts if at all possible).
Anyone who can just give me a general idea of the deployment rates at the different bases would be very helpful! Thanks so much!

[KristiMarie]

well i can tell you BLISS is very open right now. for 2 reasons
1. my husband is there and a BUNCH of people just deployed
2. most of the graduating kids in ROTC with me got stationed at bliss because so many people are gone.

However from what I hear deployments are quite frequent down there...

[Meredith]

Our brigades here at Ft Lewis are on a rotation...seems like one brigade leaves to replace a unit that comes home a few weeks later..

I assume with both Afghan and Iraq still going most posts are deploying guys frequently. I wouldn't think that any one post isn't deploying people. I think you're best bet is to find a unit that just got home...altho that doesn't really mean much either. My husbands unit it got home in June 08 and is headed out again in August, barely a year later.

I hope you guys find what you're looking for.

[MrsJoey]

well my hubs is in germany, im assuming you're not lookin to go there lol but he's deployed every other year in the 4 years he's been active. 1 year in germany, 1 in iraq, then another in germany, and then this past one in iraq.
seems pretty consistent!

[KristiMarie]

mere mike sounds like JM. luckly JM got the option after basic to take 2 weeks to come home or go straight to bliss. had he went straight to bliss... 5 days later he would have deloyed. His unit just literally got back like october november ish of last year and are deploying again :( some already some by august... its crazy

[ReginaCherie]

well im going to be no help cause im on a marine base. but around here it depends on the unit there in. when one goes out another comes back. its a circle.

[Erin]

Yeah I'm pretty sure most bases are on a rotation, so unless you know the exact unit it would be hard to know when they last deployed and when they will deploy again.

There are a few bases that do not deploy, and they will be your small bases. Last I heard Fort Rucker does not deploy, but they were preparing to be a deployable base.

[Katie]

I would say Hood would be a no go for you, the year I have been here there is always a unit deployed, and again most of them are in roation and barely spending a year boots on the ground before coming back.. Although 4 ID just returned home and should be moving to Carson and staying for 2 yrs at least that is what they are telling us.

[kelamarie]

anyone correct me if i am wrong, but my understanding is that Ft. Ivine(irving? can't rememver) Cali and Ft. Belvior (D.C.) are the two bases where you are almost never gonna have a direct deployment with your unit (i guess depending on your MOS) because of the services the bases provide; cali-training for predeployment, so you can't send the trainers on a deployment, and then belvior - ok ur in the nationals capital .. idk exactly why that's one you don't deploy from usually

but that is what i have been told/my understanding. Other than that most basis are on a rotation, so its luck of the draw.