Deployment Schedule for Military Reservists?

Another late-night post, but who's really keeping track? I've been considering joining the reserves as a way to balance military service and college, but does anyone know how often reservists typically get deployed?

The deployment schedule for military reservists can vary depending on a number of factors including your specific branch of service, your occupational specialty, and even global events at the time. While it is difficult to give a blanket statement, generally speaking, Army and Air Force reservists usually have a commitment of one weekend a month and two weeks a year for training.

A typical deployment cycle may be "1 to 5" meaning, after a yearlong deployment, a soldier might have five years at home. However, this does fluctuate and isn't a hard rule. During times of war or other large-scale operations, deployments can be more frequent. It's important to remember that joining any branch of the military carries with it the inherent risk of a deployment, and this should be a key factor considered when making your decision.

Lastly, your deployment can depend on your job within the military. Some jobs are more likely to deploy than others. Therefore, it's crucial to have an honest, open discussions with your recruiter about your concerns and expectations regarding deployment when considering joining the reserves.