As a CMT after the initial 4 years, is it possible to request a post on the UK? Are you allowed deny deployment?

Hello,

During your military career, each time you get a new posting (every 2-3 years normally), you can express a preference for where you would like to work. So you may express a preference to work in the UK, however you cannot refuse to work elsewhere if that is the job you are given.

Similarly, if you are posted to the UK, but you are tasked with an overseas deployment you cannot refuse to go.

What if you decide a military career isn't for you around the time you are made aware of deployment. Is there any way to get around this?

Not really, you have to give a years notice to leave the military, and you are only non deployable for the last 6 months of that. So theoretically, if you were given a last minute deployment in the first 6 months after you hand in your notice, you would still have to go.
In reality, most people get given reasonable notice they are going to deploy, so it could be possible to resign in time, but it would be quite a gamble.

As soon as you decide you would no longer wish to deploy or that the army is no longer for you, it is best to look at your career options, rather than wait until the last minute.

Sorry for all the questions!
I do want to ask though, what if somehow you were mentally incapable to being deployed? Does that change things. For example burnout etc

If someone felt they were unable to be deployed due to a mental or physical condition then they could speak to their regimental medical officer. Every soldier in the Army has a 'grade', this grade is used by the medical teams to advise the other officers/line managers as to what each soldier is capable of in regards to not only deployability, but what things they can do in the work place. For example, someone with an injured ankle may be deemed unable to deploy or take part in physical activity while they are undergoing rehabilitation for their injury.

'Burnout' does not necessarily fit in to the above though as that applies more to diagnosed medical conditions. The military also has a welfare team, so if someone feels unable to deploy due to family circumstances, or life stressors, the welfare team may speak to their line manager for them. However this is simply advice.

The military does have rules on how often people can deploy, and how long for, so that people don't get deployed too frequently.

It is not unusual for people to leave the military after a few years, as not everyone finds it compatible with family life and it can be hard being away from home and moving around so often. It's important to keep planning for the future throughout your military career, and giving yourself plenty of time to hand in your notice if you do decide you cannot be as flexible as the Army requires you to be.

I hope that helps.