Which military branch is least likely to deploy?

Thinking about joining a military branch where deployment is less frequent. Any insights on which branch tends to have the least likelihood of deployment?

The frequency of deployment can vary quite a bit depending on the specific career field and the current global situation, but generally speaking, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard typically have lower rates of deployment compared to other branches.

The U.S. Air Force deployments tend to be for shorter periods and less frequent than Army or Marines deployments. Air Force deployment rotations are currently structured to provide a 1:2 deploy-to-dwell ratio, meaning one month deployed for every two months at home station, though this can change based on the needs of the military.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard, tasked with ensuring the safety and security of our nation's waters, typically has a different type of deployment, mainly inside the United States. That said, it's worth noting the Coast Guard was involved with deployments in the Persian Gulf.

Remember, the easiest way to influence the likelihood of deployment involves choosing a military job (MOS) that isn't typically part of combat operations. Field jobs such as Intelligence, Supply and Logistics, or Human Resources tend to deploy less than combat-related jobs.

Nonetheless, being in the military always carries the possibility of deployment. Nobody can definitively say you won't be deployed because variables are always changing. It’s best to have a frank conversation with your recruiter about the realities of deployment within the branch and job field you’re interested in.