Deployment Timeline for Army National Guard Members: What to Expect

The time frame between signing up for the Army National Guard and potential deployment can vary significantly depending on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the process and what to expect:

Training and Basic Training

Before any deployment, every Army National Guard member must undergo a specific training process. Initially, you will attend Basic Training (BT). This is a mandatory phase for all new recruits, regardless of their background or previous military experience. Typically, Basic Training lasts about eight weeks, and during this period, you will learn the basics of military life, discipline, and skills necessary for your role in the military.

AIT (Advanced Individual Training)

After Basic Training, you will proceed to AIT, which can vary in duration depending on your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). AIT is where you receive specialized training relevant to your specific job within the National Guard. The length of AIT can range from a few weeks to several months, and it may take place at a different location than where you complete Basic Training.

Unit Assignment and Inprocessing

Upon completion of AIT, you will be assigned to a unit. During this time, you may undergo additional training or ‘on-the-job’ training within the unit. This phase can take anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the readiness of the unit and the specific requirements of your assignment. Inprocessing involves a detailed orientation and training to ensure you are fully prepared to serve in your unit.

Total Timeline

Depending on your unit and specific circumstances, the total time from signing up to potential deployment can be as short as a few months or as long as 18 months, or even longer. Generally, the timeline can be broken down into the following stages:

Initial Basic Training: 8 weeks AIT: Varies, typically 6 to 12 months Unit Assignment and Inprocessing: 6 to 18 months or even longer

Deployment Uncertainty

The uncertainty of deployment is a key aspect of military service. There is no fixed timeline for when you may be deployed. Factors such as mission requirements, the readiness of your unit, and global events can all influence the deployment schedule. Some soldiers may never be deployed, while others may be deployed multiple times.

Examples and Insights

To provide a clearer picture, let’s look at some real-world examples:

Example 1: A soldier from 1966 describes his journey. After Basic Training and AIT, he was trained for an NCO position and then sent to an NCO academy. He had 13 months left in the Army, but orders were prepared for him and 500 others for deployment to Vietnam shortly after basic training. Example 2: A parent shares that their son was deployed to Iraq after boot camp and A school, which took about 14 weeks from basic training. Another parent notes that their husband, a marine, was deployed numerous times over a 12-year period, and stating, 'it’s impossible to answer this question.'

Infantry Deployment

In some cases, Infantry members are more likely to be deployed due to the nature of their role. If there is a war or conflict, units and infantrymen are often called upon for active duty sooner. This underscores the variability in when and how often National Guard members may be deployed.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember is that the timeline for deployment is highly variable and depends on numerous factors. While Basic Training and AIT are mandatory and fixed in duration, the process from assignment to deployment can be highly unpredictable. It is best to be prepared for a long-term commitment, with the understanding that your circumstances and the military’s priorities will ultimately dictate when and if you are deployed.