Hey guys, I'm currently a high school junior and seriously considering the military as a post-school option. I am curious, however, as to which branch has the highest deployment rate or is generally away from home more. Your input would be great in helping me understand what I might be signing up for!
Hello! It's great that you're considering the military as your path after high school and are researching in detail before committing. It's important to understand that deployment rates can change over time based on international circumstances and can also vary greatly within branches. However, traditionally, the Army and the Navy tend to have the highest deployment rates.
The Army often deploys its soldiers for around nine months at a time, sometimes even up to 15 months depending on circumstances. Moreover, Army personnel are most likely to experience multiple deployments.
The Navy, although it generally has shorter deployment periods (typically six months), also tends to deploy frequently.
The Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard have historically lower deployment rates. Although the Air Force conducts many deployments, a majority of them can be shorter. Marines deploy when required and their deployment periods can vary significantly. The Coast Guard has the least frequent deployments, typically ranging from a few weeks to a few months.
However, the newest branch, the Space Force, is primarily a non-deployable branch due to its focus on space-oriented missions.
Remember that each branch has unique benefits, challenges, and opportunities, so it's important to consider overall what aligns with your long term goals, your interests, and the kind of work you feel passionate about, on top of deployment considerations. It may help to talk with a recruiting officer in each branch, as they can provide specific details about the current trends within their respective branch.
Keep in mind this is general information and individual experiences can vary greatly depending on the specific job within the branch, and current national and international situations.
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