Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Navy officer life

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/8/2009


Question
I am in the process of choosing a officer career path in the Navy, but I am concerned about long deployments away from family. Do you know the average time spent away from port for a surface warfare officer in the first four years of active duty? Do intelligence officers spend less time away from home?

Answer
Rodney,
The Navy recently changed its deployment policy for the first time in 22 years because of the demands of war.  Average deployments at sea are now 7 months rather than 6 months.  If any cruise must last beyond seven months, the Navy's top admiral must be asked for permission.

Time at sea during your first 4 years is the same as at any point of time in the Navy…50%.  The way the Navy views it, "What good is a Navy that stays in port?"  Most people join the military to travel and see the world.  To put it bluntly, if you wish to spend maximum time at home with your family, you shouldn't join the military.  Intel officers have a high deployment rate because a ship's captain must know the current political situation at all times.  He needs to know what's going on in the part of the world where the ship is sailing so he can bring military might to bear rapidly if necessary.  I cannot think of a single job in the Navy that doesn't deploy at least 50% of the time.  An officer that doesn't deploy is basically killing his career and will never be promoted.

Good luck,
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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