Can someone tell me what happens when you go AWOL?

[Sapphire Sunsets]

My cousins DS joined the army after he graduated. He's been AWOL for over a wk now.

He read on a website somewhere that he had 30 days to turn himself in to the orginal station he was assigned to and he would be dishonorably discharged. Is that still correct? My dad is convinced it's not and that they will keep him in another 2 yrs on restriction.

He joined even after 2 uncles that both served (and one still is) told him how hard it was.


Thanks,

[x35119]

Yikes! I'm not sure what usually happens in a case like that. I hope someone can give you an answer, though.

[ceciliebw]

Hmmm I'm not sure.. But whatever it is it's not good..

[*Texas*Goddess*]

I think it's more on a case by case basis.... and how the command handles it.

Based on some Marines DH has known... He told me that he likely won't be on restriction to the barracks for a full two years or be discharged. He said, "It likely will be like anything else and he will have 45/45... Which is 45 days restriction - 45 days extra duties. He also said, the sooner he turns himself in the better... Also, he has more of a chance to redeem his career the lower rank he currently is.

DH worked with a guy that went U.A. (unauthorized absence) for 6 months. He turned himself in and they allowed him to finish up his enlistment. When it came time to re-enlist they wouldn't allow him to re-enlist for a full term instead they gave him a probationary extension. After the extension, they felt that he had proved himself. They allowed him to re-enlist and he's now an 8 year SSgt (E6) and onDrill Instructor Duty.

That doesn't mean that's how it will work for this kid because like I said it's based on his command... but it's not something he could run from and I urge him to to face up to it because they do know know where his family lives and they will likely find him and it would be better for him to take responsibility.

[*Texas*Goddess*]

double post

[Sapphire Sunsets]

Thanks Jessie.


He's called his mom once already but won't tell her where he is.

Apparently there was a whole group of them that went AWOL together.

[EssBee]

After being AWOL for 30 days, he will be considered a deserter ... and I think that's a lot worse! The pp who said he needs to turn himself in ASAP is right on. There is a Desertion Center run by the Army (can't remember exactly what it's called but I did have to work with them a couple times when I was a Personnel officer in the USAF), and they really can find you. It's their job and they take it very seriously!

As for what will happen, that depends a lot on the commander and the JAG involved. Also on the manner of his return. Obviously if they yank him out of someone's basement apartment by his hair, that's not quite as good for him as if he were to turn himself in ... kwim??

[ArmyMom]

From my recruiting time I am very familiar with this.....

in a time of war you are a deserter after 24 hours of being out of duty status.

it is a case by case basis....he can turn himself into any installation.

I will tell you I had a girl go AWOL from AIT and after 6 months she was arrested in the airport going through customs after a church trip. she was transported to Fort Leonardwood and held in custody for 60days pending seperation. She was given a dishonorable discharge and faced criminal charges for desertion. Her sentence was suspended but she now has to list her desertion on job applications etc.

When I called the seperation section for deserters (in order to tell her family her status) they said it would have been better if she turned herself in....the OIC said they would have just chaptered her and called it a day.

Hope it all works out for him.

[ArmyMom]

Sorry one more thing....they do issue a warrant after 30 days so if he got pulled over or anything he would pop and be arrested. (DH knows a guy this happened to after 3 years) the military does not have the time or resources to actively seek these people so they just wait for them to slip up no matter how long it takes. My point is they are not going to hunt him down but it will not go away until he takes care of it properly.

Hope this helps.

[janel814]

Everyone is correct on here. Even thought we are not technically in a time of war there is still a conflict going on. The bench warrant is correct and going back and turning himself in is correct. The Army doesn't have the resources to actively search for each individual but at some post/installations they do have people that the only thing they do is handle AWOL soldiers. Depending on the unit command they can opt to keep him in to try and rehabilitate him into a good soldier or just to do his time. Speaking from my time in it is all about what you make of it and the benefits that you get when you complete your service. Best bet if he really just wants to get out is to turn himself in at Fort Knox, KY because that is where the USADIP center is for AWOL and Desertion out processing is done.

Hope this helps!