He was deployed with the 160th SOAR. They typically deploy for a max of 90-120 days and if the mission requires it, much shorter. They are world wide deployable within 24 hours. That means they will be anywhere on the globe, combat ready within 24 hours. Always ready! Usually their mission is intense, more intense than the “big Army”, and that is the reason for shorter deployments.
Those soldiers do in three months what the regular Army soldiers do in 18 months.
With all due respect sir, I don't understand that all encompassing statement you made.
It is a generalization, at best, to assume that one unit's burden and intensity is greater than another's. The factors involved are beyond statistical measurement, much less yours or anyone else's random scale.
Moreover, I can say without hesitation (and I am a former Air Force pilot) that both the Guard, Reserve, and "big Army" have been absorbing their share fair of pain, blood, tears, loneliness, terror, and trauma.
My problem with this fellow is he "spun" his story: "FIVE DEPLOYMENTS!"
Most deployments for the Army are now 15 months.
If you think the Air Force is lacking - think again. Our Logistics Officers are not only doing something called "In-Lieu-Of" Deployments for 365 days to fill ARMY roles they cannot fill with enough personnel (these Air Force officers are doing Convoy Duty where they are getting bombed and shot at) - they have to endure 2 months of additional training for the Army. The Army apparently doesn't think qualified Air Force officers are trained "their way" so they endure this 2 months away from their families - and it does NOT count towards their 365 day deployment!
Let's add fuel to the fire. When many of them get to Afghanistan or Iraq, the "clock" does not start ticking towards their going home until the person they replace goes home. Since the Army routinely keeps solidiers longer than promised, the 365 day deployment turns into a few more months longer.
You can see why I don't sympathize as much I could with a soldier who goes to the Media and tells them he has Five Deployments! like this guy.