A 416th Transportation Co. Soldier embraces his family before falling into formation to deploy to Kuwait on Oct. 20. (Photo by Spc. Matthew Vogler)
Officials speaking at the 2010 AUSA Convention and Expo this week gave no indication that the deployment rotations you’ve come to know and love will change in the near future.
The good news is they will ease.
As the U.S. military completes the withdrawal from Iraq, the typical dwell time should go to 1 year away, two years at home for active duty and a 1:4 ratio for the reserves. By fiscal 2015, the goal is to be at 1:3 for the active and 1:5 for the reserves, officials said.
This, of course, is assuming no other hot spots erupt, the Army maintains its end strength and access to reserve components continues.
As the deployment pace slows, you can expect more full spectrum training to hone the Army’s expeditionary skills and readiness, according to Lt. Gen. Daniel Bolger, deputy chief of staff for G-3/5/7. Brigade rotations will be looked at, as will the mix of light/medium/heavy armored forces.
Might this be the end of the two maneuver battalion/firing battery structure? Stay tuned …
