ARNG deployments and risk of WIA

[Mahasashi]

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I just finished MS-II and am very eager to join ARNG, but going in I just want to know what the general risks are of coming out wounded in action. I want to serve my country and am only asking this to find out real information from anyone who knows.

 

[ValeRx]

Considering all US troops are supposed to be out of Afghanistan this year, I'd say your chances are pretty low.

 

[d2305]

When you sign a contract with the military, you're betting your life literally. You're more likely to get hurt or killed training.

 

[armytrainingsir]

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf

Helicopter accidents, to include walking into the tail rotor, seem to be the #1 killer of .mil physicians.
As far as WIA, no idea, but dig around the link above and you might find what you are looking for.

 

[pgg]

When you sign a contract with the military, you're betting your life literally. You're more likely to get hurt or killed training.

I'd add that doctor training isn't particularly hazardous, and that you're more likely to get hurt or killed driving to the airfield that takes you to a war zone.

The ~2 years total I spent in Afghanistan and Iraq were statistically the safest of my life, because my highway miles totaled zero during that time. I carefully avoided unnecessary helicopter rides too. If you factor in the plentiful and regular gym time deployments afford, an argument could be made that deployments are a very positive time for one's health. 🙂


OP, odds are extraordinarily high that as someone in the reserve national guard, not only will you never deploy, but if you do deploy as a doctor, you almost certainly won't see any "action". Doctors belong in the rear with the gear.

There are lots of ways to serve our country. What made you start looking at ARNG? I'm not trying to dissuade you but if we knew more specifics about your motivation and intent, we could give better information. ARNG isn't a common path for doctors, even the ones that want to serve in the military.