AWOL penalties

[badapple40]

As people have suggested that AWOL cases are given OTH discharges and "that is it," I thought I'd pass along a case that came out from CAAF today involving AWOL:

One count of AWOL (so only AWOL was charged)

The adjudged and approved sentence included a bad-conduct discharge, confinement for ninety days, forfeitures of $795.00 pay per month for three months, and reduction to grade E-1.
The AWOL period was 24 July 2001 to 31 March 2004.

While CAAF reversed the guilty plea because of issues raised in the providence inquiry about the defendant going to an air force base to turn himself in, the point is that serious penalties can attach to AWOL (and that the longer a person is AWOL the larger the punishment can be).

[SHORTY LONG]

19 JULY 2006

Sir, thank you for sharing; and making unmistakably clear of the lifelong consequences from going AWOL! The longer one is gone, the worse the price they will pay. An extra adage; "The Law is like an Ocean, it is never completely still." Semper Fi. Shorty

[EThiker]

Yes, I have seen a wide array of outcomes at trial for AWOL cases. And, I believe that keeping it less than 30 days (or better yet, not at all) would be better. Unfortunately, AWOL cases typically have other specifications coupled with them, so it is hard to speculate what the outcomes may be at trial.

I agree with Shorty, the consequences of going AWOL can have lifetime effects on an individual's career and record. It is something that is best not done! There are so many other ways to deal with life problems and the military has different avenues to help people, before deciding to go AWOL.

[Tanon]

Yea I've heard more and more cases are getting harsher punishments.

As for me, tomorrow is my summary court-martial.

I'm getting 30 days in jail (24 with good behavior)

an OTH discharge

2/3rds reduction in pay for 1 month

and reduction to E-1.


But I've already outprocessed, so as soon as I get back I clear Fort Bliss and then they hand me my DD 214 and I go home.

Also my Summary CM does not show up as a conviction on the outside world.


All in all I think it was a pretty fair deal.

I also start my jail time tomorrow.

[SHORTY LONG]

20 JULY 06

Yea, but your [badge of infamy] "OTH" will surely follow you no matter where you go from one who has been there and done that; and not only does it follow you, but in time, it will haunt you; and it will always heavily weigh down upon you 24/7. Shorty over and out!

[SHORTY LONG]

20 JULY 06

In accession, I stand corrected: "Been there, done that, and still doing that!"
Shorty out.

[runnin4freedom]

another "OTH" here, it will follow ya till ya die. it suxe.

[SHORTY LONG]

30 JULY 06

Yes it will follow you 24/7 but, personally I am not one to be taken lightly in this matter; nor will I roll over and play dead, when, in the first instance I totally am not at fault for what has happened to me with this mountain I presently carry!. If you will note, I have been at this for 32 years, and I will not go to my grave with it for thy Lord God will see to it that my good name is returned unto me. Ecc. 7:1! And you can take that to the Bank. Shorty