My son is run away from his Military base....

[worrymother]

After the boot camp and 2 months in the Army Military Base, my son gave up everything and left. He says that now, he can wait 60 days to present himself to any Army Military base. Is that true? does he will need a lawyer? if he goes by himself, does he can be sent to jail? is there any experienced with reasonable price lawyer who can help us?
Please, I am very worry and if you do not know what you are saying do not need to respond. Thank you so much.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by worrymother

After the boot camp and 2 months in the Army Military Base, my son gave up everything and left. He says that now, he can wait 60 days to present himself to any Army Military base. Is that true? does he will need a lawyer? if he goes by himself, does he can be sent to jail? is there any experienced with reasonable price lawyer who can help us?
Please, I am very worry and if you do not know what you are saying do not need to respond. Thank you so much.

Your son may retain council but it would result in the same outcome. He has obviously believed some of the same myths that have fooled others. He can absolutely try to avoid arrest over the next sixty days in order to return to military custody. If he is caught before that time he will receive an even harsher punishment and a term in military prison is much more likely. Your son is playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette with his future and his freedom. His current plan of action are going to ensure that he loses both.

[worrymother]

Originally Posted by ERAUPIKE

Your son may retain council but it would result in the same outcome. He has obviously believed some of the same myths that have fooled others. He can absolutely try to avoid arrest over the next sixty days in order to return to military custody. If he is caught before that time he will receive an even harsher punishment and a term in military prison is much more likely. Your son is playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette with his future and his freedom. His current plan of action are going to ensure that he loses both.

Thank you for you quick response. That is what I think too. We do not know who answer those question. You seem to be a lawyer, Are you? i just spoke with a Military cases lawyer who charged me 2,500 would you do it for less if you are a lowyer? if he hire one, does he still need to present himself there or the lawyer would take care of everything? Thank you so much. We are Still without a lawyer.
We are in Florida.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by worrymother

Thank you for you quick response. That is what I think too. We do not know who answer those question. You seem to be a lawyer, Are you? i just spoke with a Military cases lawyer who charged me 2,500 would you do it for less if you are a lowyer? if he hire one, does he still need to present himself there or the lawyer would take care of everything? Thank you so much. We are Still without a lawyer.
We are in Florida.

There is no need for legal counsel unless there are exigent circumstances surrounding his exodus from military control. If he simply ran away, he will most likely be given the option to accept a discharge in lieu of court martial. The military has no desire to drag out your sons discharge nor does he have an implicit right to counsel upon his return. He has every right to fight his charges and elect a trial by court martial, which he will lose. The punishments dolled out by military courts are far more severe then those he will receive elsewhere. His only hope of surviving this dishonor with any type of hope for a future is to return to military custody immediately. Your son could hire a team of lawyers but he will still be required to return to military custody in order to clear up this mess he has created.

[worrymother]

Originally Posted by ERAUPIKE

There is no need for legal counsel unless there are exigent circumstances surrounding his exodus from military control. If he simply ran away, he will most likely be given the option to accept a discharge in lieu of court martial. The military has no desire to drag out your sons discharge nor does he have an implicit right to counsel upon his return. He has every right to fight his charges and elect a trial by court martial, which he will lose. The punishments dolled out by military courts are far more severe then those he will receive elsewhere. His only hope of surviving this dishonor with any type of hope for a future is to return to military custody immediately. Your son could hire a team of lawyers but he will still be required to return to military custody in order to clear up this mess he has created.

Again,thank you so muh for the quick response it is being a blessed to me. Well, as far as understand, we do need to spend that much money with a lawyer now, wich is great because he would need to sell his car for that. Yes, he just ran away and there is nothing else that he did besides this. So, he can present himself (by himself)and go from there trying to resolve the problem that he created, Is that all right? he is not going to go to the military jail?

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by worrymother

Again,thank you so muh for the quick response it is being a blessed to me. Well, as far as understand, we do need to spend that much money with a lawyer now, wich is great because he would need to sell his car for that. Yes, he just ran away and there is nothing else that he did besides this. So, he can present himself (by himself)and go from there trying to resolve the problem that he created, Is that all right? he is not going to go to the military jail?

The chances of him being sent to a military jail or receiving a term of confinement are slim. A majority of runners simply receive a discharge and are released within a week. There is a small chance he could be sentenced to a prison term of up to a year.

[worrymother]

Originally Posted by ERAUPIKE

The chances of him being sent to a military jail or receiving a term of confinement are slim. A majority of runners simply receive a discharge and are released within a week. There is a small chance he could be sentenced to a prison term of up to a year.

Thank you again for your response. Do you think I as a mother, could call his unit and try to talk with somebody in charge of this matter and explained what happened with my son and why he did that (all the pressure and marriage troubles together etc.) and try to find out what would be the better for him to do. I also want to know if he can present himself in another Military Base or it has to be in the one he was, it is 25 hs from where he is now. Please let me know what you think about call them in behalf of my son.
Thank you so much!
Very worry mother.

[dumbpvt]

Originally Posted by worrymother

Thank you again for your response. Do you think I as a mother, could call his unit and try to talk with somebody in charge of this matter and explained what happened with my son and why he did that (all the pressure and marriage troubles together etc.) and try to find out what would be the better for him to do. I also want to know if he can present himself in another Military Base or it has to be in the one he was, it is 25 hs from where he is now. Please let me know what you think about call them in behalf of my son.
Thank you so much!
Very worry mother.

First of all do not let him wait 60 days, the longer he waits the worse it'll get. Tell him to turn himself in right away. He can turn himself in to any military post but as far as I know it would be allot better to go to Ft. Knox and get over with it unless he can return to his unit. It would be smart to get him to call his unit right away as they might be able to work something out with less punishment and no discharge. DO NOT allow him to wait till he gets picked up, that would basically make the whole thing 100 time worse. Two more things, there is no running away from awol (believe me I know it because I'm going through the same only more complicated) so he might as well get done with it now before starting a new life and everything. Furthermore your son is a grown man right now make him see that and tell him if he had the balls to get into this mess he'll have the balls to get out of it and no one else can do it for him...

[worrymother]

Originally Posted by dumbpvt

First of all do not let him wait 60 days, the longer he waits the worse it'll get. Tell him to turn himself in right away. He can turn himself in to any military post but as far as I know it would be allot better to go to Ft. Knox and get over with it unless he can return to his unit. It would be smart to get him to call his unit right away as they might be able to work something out with less punishment and no discharge. DO NOT allow him to wait till he gets picked up, that would basically make the whole thing 100 time worse. Two more things, there is no running away from awol (believe me I know it because I'm going through the same only more complicated) so he might as well get done with it now before starting a new life and everything. Furthermore your son is a grown man right now make him see that and tell him if he had the balls to get into this mess he'll have the balls to get out of it and no one else can do it for him...

Thank you so much for your advice. Do you know why he thinks that to wait 60 days would be better for him? I know many people say to do not wait and go back right way, but he keeps saying that he needs to wait or he is going to go back to the same unit as he was, which he does not want it. He got many personal problems with people over there and they really do not like him. Is there some way for him to go to another unit? there was a superior who even hit his head and a couple of tem who enjoy humiliate him. Thank you so much for the advices. Worry mother.
Ps. He does not want to be at the same unit.

[dumbpvt]

There is probably not a chance on going to another unit but if a sergeant or an officer laid hands on him for other reasons than to prevent injury or death to somebody else he could probably take it up with a chaplain or a shrink maybe even the MP's as that is a serious thing. Nobody hands out beatings in the army anymore unless you screw up at the range or while handling a loaded weapon/grenades vehicle or something with lethal force. Other than that there are probably very few circumstances in which should be assaulted by anybody (unless it happened during combatives training but I highly doubt it did) .
He wants to wait 60 days because he's not officially AWOL right now, hes just "missing from his unit" this is the best time to go back and avoid UCMJ actions at a higher grade.
As far as his personal problems, the army won't give a dam about it if he gets caught or even if he turns himself in. Does he have proof he was beaten? As it will probably be him against the rest of the guys at his unit who witnessed it.
In my opinion it's best that he goes back to his unit, takes the punishment (probably article 15, extra duty and reduced pay for a month or 2; this is not that bad at all looking at what he could be facing in the future if he doesn't go back). Then he should stop whining and stand up to his command probably talking to some form of council so they know he won't take b@llshait, show that he's a good soldier and stay out of trouble. Believe me when I say this is the best course of action. There are only 2 ways to avid being bullied in the army beating who ever is on your @$$ to a pulp (not advisable) or just plain becoming a good soldier and giving them no ammunition to screw with you. I hope your son crawls out of his hiding space face his unit and drives on eventually he'll be able to request to be transfered to another unit. But this will only be an option if he acts now, otherwise forget it. One more thing there is no knowing what his commanding officer will do so just tell him to cool it with any complaints for the time being that might help him get along. If anyone asks him anything on why he went awol just tell him to say "no excuse" and drive on. He'll probably get smoked for a day or two (been there done that ain't so bad; a friend of mine got beaten up an we all got smoked the hell out of us for not looking out for him) As a mother if you love your son and I know its hard cause I god a kid myself, make him go back before 60 days you'll save him form allot. I know it feels like throwing him into the wolves but that's something he'll have to deal with. But tell him not to worry about the MP's they won't touch him probably won't really care and put him in holding till CO or first sergeant picks him up. Make sure he doesn't turn himself in on the weekend as he'll probably spend it in holding as a bit of extra punishment. Well I don't know what else to say except that he knows what to do and he should get his behind to it.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by worrymother

Thank you so much for your advice. Do you know why he thinks that to wait 60 days would be better for him? I know many people say to do not wait and go back right way, but he keeps saying that he needs to wait or he is going to go back to the same unit as he was, which he does not want it. He got many personal problems with people over there and they really do not like him. Is there some way for him to go to another unit? there was a superior who even hit his head and a couple of tem who enjoy humiliate him. Thank you so much for the advices. Worry mother.
Ps. He does not want to be at the same unit.

I wouldn't believe everything he is telling you. He thinks that staying away for a specified period of time will guarantee a discharge, which is not necessarily true. He may also lack the intestinal fortitude to stand up to his commander and admit he doesn't have what it takes to serve in the armed forces. He will not be allowed a transfer because he doesn't like it and people are mean to him. He is a grown up and will need to learn to deal with his problems as one at some point. He has a chain of command and rather then using that chain he ran away. This tells me that he is simply telling stories to justify his actions. The members of todays Army are professionals and he is relying on your ignorance to buy some pity.

[worrymother]

Originally Posted by ERAUPIKE

I wouldn't believe everything he is telling you. He thinks that staying away for a specified period of time will guarantee a discharge, which is not necessarily true. He may also lack the intestinal fortitude to stand up to his commander and admit he doesn't have what it takes to serve in the armed forces. He will not be allowed a transfer because he doesn't like it and people are mean to him. He is a grown up and will need to learn to deal with his problems as one at some point. He has a chain of command and rather then using that chain he ran away. This tells me that he is simply telling stories to justify his actions. The members of todays Army are professionals and he is relying on your ignorance to buy some pity.

I understand your point and he can may play a little bit, but he never told me the bad things that was happened with him to do not worry me, I just new about some of this yesterday when we went to an appoitment with a lawyer which we already decided do not hire.

I know I made many mistakes protecting him too much,but now is too late and I am seeing the consequences.

I agree about the professionals in the Army, but he got some guys picking on him (I think because his wick personality I created in the childhood).

Anyways, thank you all for the wise advices and I am just praying now for his return to fix this mess ASAP!
Worrymother.

[dumbpvt]

Well, I can tell you I agree that your over protection will hurt him at this point. But look at it this way right now the only way to protect him is to make him do the right thing. From what I've read I think he'll listen to you because you play a big part in his life. As far as him being hit by a superior I agree with ERAUPIKE, but sadly this type of stuff does happen every now and then. I guess it really depends how much of a screw up he was (sorry to put it that way). I remember a PVT that we used to pick on (not hit or assault in any way) because of his overall crazy behavior and lack of social skills. Was it right, no way... but thats the way humans are given a "place in the group". I'm sure he would have found his place eventually and let me tell you that pretty much dies out when the next group of new privates walk into the barracks.
My advise would be for both of you to place your mistakes behind you, and do things right from now on. You as a mother should take a stand and if he's staying in your house make it clear that you won't allow him to implicate both of you (you mostly morally) in something that could have dire consequences. Remember he is using you as his shield right now! Please let us know what the outcome was and tell him I wish him good luck. Make sure you support him and keep a tight watch a soon as he turns himself in. Call his unit to check on him and try to establish communication with someone within his unit to track the current events. That might help him as far as being taken care of by his chain of command. It'll let them know that someone is watching their actions.

Well best of luck to you, and please do not let your son make the same mistake I did.

[worrymother]

Originally Posted by dumbpvt

Well, I can tell you I agree that your over protection will hurt him at this point. But look at it this way right now the only way to protect him is to make him do the right thing. From what I've read I think he'll listen to you because you play a big part in his life. As far as him being hit by a superior I agree with ERAUPIKE, but sadly this type of stuff does happen every now and then. I guess it really depends how much of a screw up he was (sorry to put it that way). I remember a PVT that we used to pick on (not hit or assault in any way) because of his overall crazy behavior and lack of social skills. Was it right, no way... but thats the way humans are given a "place in the group". I'm sure he would have found his place eventually and let me tell you that pretty much dies out when the next group of new privates walk into the barracks.
My advise would be for both of you to place your mistakes behind you, and do things right from now on. You as a mother should take a stand and if he's staying in your house make it clear that you won't allow him to implicate both of you (you mostly morally) in something that could have dire consequences. Remember he is using you as his shield right now! Please let us know what the outcome was and tell him I wish him good luck. Make sure you support him and keep a tight watch a soon as he turns himself in. Call his unit to check on him and try to establish communication with someone within his unit to track the current events. That might help him as far as being taken care of by his chain of command. It'll let them know that someone is watching their actions.

Well best of luck to you, and please do not let your son make the same mistake I did.

Thank you so much for the nice, deep advice and THE support you gave to us. He is not leaving with me NOW, but Iam trying very hard to help him (I can help myself to get involved, you know).

I really would like to know what was your mistake, maybe would help him to act different. My problem with him now is that he is refusing to go right way and keep saying that he needs to wait 60 days, he say that he needs to go only when he is already AWol for some reason, he want to stay in Military if he could to change the unit, other wise he would prefer to be discharge, but we know that the things does not work the way he wants.
I would like him to call them, or go already return himself him and resolve this once for all, but he says that he needs to wait. I am afraid he is not doing the right thing..but you know, I am mother and he is not going to listen to me that much in ths situation.
Thank you so much and I will keep you informed to be able to help others.
Worry mother.

[def.colicab]

If he is not willing to turn himself in before the 60 day mark, then perhaps you should turn him in. Everyone is saying it, just call his command if you can, have a talk with them about it, and tell them that you want to alleviate this situation.

Helping him get back to where he belongs whether he wants to go or not is the right thing. It is not a betrayal of your mother/son love. Just think of it as a tough love which it sounds like this guy needs.

I may be wrong here, but after the 60 day mark, isnt he considered a deserter? Is that what he is waiting for?