income tax after awol

[coffeegranny]

WV
I have a family member who joined the navy right out of high school. He was in for app. 6 months before he went AWOL. He moved in with his girlfriend who's father tried on several occasions to contact the Navy about having
his pay stopped. They more or less said it would stop soon, but it didn't.
He stayed out for around 9 months and it was really getting to him so he
went back to get everything taken care of. At which time he was there for around a month and given an "other than honorable discharge" During this time
he had to attend seperation meeting or classes. He said they told the class
that since they came back on there own and had no criminal record. That
it(money) would be "forgiven." They were also told it would have no adverse
on there taxes or anything. Well to make a long story short, they have kept
his tax refund the last 2 years. I was wondering if you could tell me if this is the way it usually works in this situation. If so how long can they do this, and is there any forms or anything that he should file. He doesn't have a lot
of income. Thank You for any help you can give....