UA from the USMC

[Rock75]

What is the name of your state? TX

Well, here is my story... I have been UA for 3 months. Obviously it has been more than 30 days. But I had/have no intentions to leave permenantly. I do intend on returning real soon. These past 3 months have.. well, they sucked. Having to worry about what's going to happen tomorrow and always having to look over your shoulder isn't the way to live. I was at Camp Pendlton, CA for SOI/ITB. I was almost through with training, 2 more weeks and I would have finished. I was still on student status at the time. I got dropped back in training for some dumb reasons that I could have prevented and some I couldn't. While getting dropped I had a problem with my right foot, went to medical, got restricted on what I could and couldn't do, and had to go to therapy.. I had hurt it during one of our training exercises. I got put in a medical rehab platoon and was waiting to get better. At the same time all sorts of problems were going on at home.. a close aunt's cancer got worse, financial problems, single mom couldn't make ends meet, a close friend/brother of mine was getting sent to Iraq, homesickness... the list goes on. It was a huge ongoing battle in my head wether I should just stick it and hope for the best or do the stupidest thing in my life and go and help my family. Obviously, I did the 2nd one. I regret it so much. Now here I am working and helping my family out wanting to go back.. I'm terrified of what the consequences are going to be, then again I did bring this upon myself. I actually love the Marine Corps and it is the best thing that I have ever done. It may sound like I am contradicting myself right now.. but I totally am not. I would really like to go back and face my problems like the man the Marine Corps taught me to be.. Just.. I am a little nervous/scared about the consequences... I want to stay in, I want to complete my training. I am afraid they might punish me, ruin my record, and kick me to the curb. Not like I don't deserve it with what I did but still.. I still want to be a part of it...

I have heard all sorts of things.. brig time.. dishonorable discharges.. reduction in pay grade...

I still want in.

Any advice/help would be GREATLY appreciated.

[cyberspook]

Originally Posted by Rock75

What is the name of your state? TX

Well, here is my story... I have been UA for 3 months. Obviously it has been more than 30 days. But I had/have no intentions to leave permenantly. I do intend on returning real soon. These past 3 months have.. well, they sucked. Having to worry about what's going to happen tomorrow and always having to look over your shoulder isn't the way to live. I was at Camp Pendlton, CA for SOI/ITB. I was almost through with training, 2 more weeks and I would have finished. I was still on student status at the time. I got dropped back in training for some dumb reasons that I could have prevented and some I couldn't. While getting dropped I had a problem with my right foot, went to medical, got restricted on what I could and couldn't do, and had to go to therapy.. I had hurt it during one of our training exercises. I got put in a medical rehab platoon and was waiting to get better. At the same time all sorts of problems were going on at home.. a close aunt's cancer got worse, financial problems, single mom couldn't make ends meet, a close friend/brother of mine was getting sent to Iraq, homesickness... the list goes on. It was a huge ongoing battle in my head wether I should just stick it and hope for the best or do the stupidest thing in my life and go and help my family. Obviously, I did the 2nd one. I regret it so much. Now here I am working and helping my family out wanting to go back.. I'm terrified of what the consequences are going to be, then again I did bring this upon myself. I actually love the Marine Corps and it is the best thing that I have ever done. It may sound like I am contradicting myself right now.. but I totally am not. I would really like to go back and face my problems like the man the Marine Corps taught me to be.. Just.. I am a little nervous/scared about the consequences... I want to stay in, I want to complete my training. I am afraid they might punish me, ruin my record, and kick me to the curb. Not like I don't deserve it with what I did but still.. I still want to be a part of it...

I have heard all sorts of things.. brig time.. dishonorable discharges.. reduction in pay grade...

I still want in.

Any advice/help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Sounds like you are venting. I understand your frustrations and fears.

You are not the first to do this if that helps.

Go back now and face the music, you might get off with "office hours" and beable to finish your service up.

Good luck ;-)

[SHORTY LONG]

Originally Posted by Rock75

What is the name of your state? TX

Well, here is my story... I have been UA for 3 months. Obviously it has been more than 30 days. But I had/have no intentions to leave permenantly. I do intend on returning real soon. These past 3 months have.. well, they sucked. Having to worry about what's going to happen tomorrow and always having to look over your shoulder isn't the way to live. I was at Camp Pendlton, CA for SOI/ITB. I was almost through with training, 2 more weeks and I would have finished. I was still on student status at the time. I got dropped back in training for some dumb reasons that I could have prevented and some I couldn't. While getting dropped I had a problem with my right foot, went to medical, got restricted on what I could and couldn't do, and had to go to therapy.. I had hurt it during one of our training exercises. I got put in a medical rehab platoon and was waiting to get better. At the same time all sorts of problems were going on at home.. a close aunt's cancer got worse, financial problems, single mom couldn't make ends meet, a close friend/brother of mine was getting sent to Iraq, homesickness... the list goes on. It was a huge ongoing battle in my head wether I should just stick it and hope for the best or do the stupidest thing in my life and go and help my family. Obviously, I did the 2nd one. I regret it so much. Now here I am working and helping my family out wanting to go back.. I'm terrified of what the consequences are going to be, then again I did bring this upon myself. I actually love the Marine Corps and it is the best thing that I have ever done. It may sound like I am contradicting myself right now.. but I totally am not. I would really like to go back and face my problems like the man the Marine Corps taught me to be.. Just.. I am a little nervous/scared about the consequences... I want to stay in, I want to complete my training. I am afraid they might punish me, ruin my record, and kick me to the curb. Not like I don't deserve it with what I did but still.. I still want to be a part of it...

I have heard all sorts of things.. brig time.. dishonorable discharges.. reduction in pay grade...

I still want in.

Any advice/help would be GREATLY appreciated.

First, do not believe everything you hear. Second, do not worry about
tomorrow for it will take care of itself (be concerned, but do not worry);
Third, get your head and heart wired together, and return ASAP, and make
it known you had these problem[s] at home, and that you realize with strong
remorse that, you just tried to help your family; and that you want to really
be a Marine.

Sounds like you had something that is known as heel contusion.

Lastly, contact if possible by telephone: your ST. Sgt., and let him know you
want to return, and continue, and take what ever punishment that is called
for! And by all means, return back NOW.

[bootcampescapee]

Well, I got out of the marine corps 2 1/2 years ago. I also went UA, but I did it from Parris Island. I was all scared of going back, living in fear, not wanting to go to the mall thinking my recruiter was gonna spot me and call the cops. Anyway, I looked all over the internet, just like you. I called the GI rights hotline for advice (They are lost when it comes to the Marine Corps) Well what I found out was that in order for me to get out I would have to be UA for 6 months, then turn myself in. So I did just that. I turned myself in to Camp Pendleton Ca. with a small bag of necessities. I was not arrested or sent to the brigg. That is because once you turn yourself in, you are no longer considered a "flight risk" ( or at risk of running). But if they catch you in the outside world and have to escort you back, then you will get the chain belt, cuffs, and shackles. The whole 9 yards. Anyway, they put me in a barrack and since I'm a female, I only had 1 roomy. The males had about 4 per room. Well, you are up at 06 to 1600 taking part in working parties, you get breakfast lunch and dinner with your meal card, you go speak with a lawyer, write a statement. Then you go talk with the CO. Then is when he asks you if you wanna stay in or get out. Or should I say then is when he beggs and pleads with you to stay in! If you want in, just tell them, and they are more than willing to work with you! If you want out, make it very clear that you do. Most of the people I was in seperations with were all from grunt units. They did not treat them any differently for going UA. No one is gonna treat you mean, or disrespect you at all, they do not tollerate that. Also when your work day is done at 1600 and on your weekends, you are free to do and go where ever you want. even off base. Just don't go UA from seperations. That is the worst thing you could do there. Just let them help you and don't screw them over! I recieved a General under other than honorable discharge in 2 months. It did not screw up my carreer options at all! a month after I got seperated I was hired on at the Sheriffs Office, i did that for 2 1/2 years, and now I am in training to be a flight attendant so that I can travel the world freely! Don't believe what they tell you about not being able to have a career if you choose to get out cause I'm proof that's BULL****. If you stay in, have fun and remember, EVERYONE makes mistakes. Just some are bigger than others ;-)

feel free to ask me questions

[cyberspook]

Originally Posted by bootcampescapee

Well, I got out of the marine corps 2 1/2 years ago. I also went UA, but I did it from Parris Island. I was all scared of going back, living in fear, not wanting to go to the mall thinking my recruiter was gonna spot me and call the cops. Anyway, I looked all over the internet, just like you. I called the GI rights hotline for advice (They are lost when it comes to the Marine Corps) Well what I found out was that in order for me to get out I would have to be UA for 6 months, then turn myself in. So I did just that. I turned myself in to Camp Pendleton Ca. with a small bag of necessities. I was not arrested or sent to the brigg. That is because once you turn yourself in, you are no longer considered a "flight risk" ( or at risk of running). But if they catch you in the outside world and have to escort you back, then you will get the chain belt, cuffs, and shackles. The whole 9 yards. Anyway, they put me in a barrack and since I'm a female, I only had 1 roomy. The males had about 4 per room. Well, you are up at 06 to 1600 taking part in working parties, you get breakfast lunch and dinner with your meal card, you go speak with a lawyer, write a statement. Then you go talk with the CO. Then is when he asks you if you wanna stay in or get out. Or should I say then is when he beggs and pleads with you to stay in! If you want in, just tell them, and they are more than willing to work with you! If you want out, make it very clear that you do. Most of the people I was in seperations with were all from grunt units. They did not treat them any differently for going UA. No one is gonna treat you mean, or disrespect you at all, they do not tollerate that. Also when your work day is done at 1600 and on your weekends, you are free to do and go where ever you want. even off base. Just don't go UA from seperations. That is the worst thing you could do there. Just let them help you and don't screw them over! I recieved a General under other than honorable discharge in 2 months. It did not screw up my carreer options at all! a month after I got seperated I was hired on at the Sheriffs Office, i did that for 2 1/2 years, and now I am in training to be a flight attendant so that I can travel the world freely! Don't believe what they tell you about not being able to have a career if you choose to get out cause I'm proof that's BULL****. If you stay in, have fun and remember, EVERYONE makes mistakes. Just some are bigger than others ;-)

feel free to ask me questions

Ha Ha how in the world did you manage to go UA from Paris Island? You must be a great swimmer.

[XNavyLT]

The only discharge that has any real teeth is the Big Chicken Dinner...unless you want a Fed job, then its Honorable or nutin' honey. The PerrisIslandescapee had good advice, as well as a personal story of your probable treatment, I suggest you 'listen' to her.

[Rock75]

Originally Posted by bootcampescapee

Well, I got out of the marine corps 2 1/2 years ago. I also went UA, but I did it from Parris Island. I was all scared of going back, living in fear, not wanting to go to the mall thinking my recruiter was gonna spot me and call the cops. Anyway, I looked all over the internet, just like you. I called the GI rights hotline for advice (They are lost when it comes to the Marine Corps) Well what I found out was that in order for me to get out I would have to be UA for 6 months, then turn myself in. So I did just that. I turned myself in to Camp Pendleton Ca. with a small bag of necessities. I was not arrested or sent to the brigg. That is because once you turn yourself in, you are no longer considered a "flight risk" ( or at risk of running). But if they catch you in the outside world and have to escort you back, then you will get the chain belt, cuffs, and shackles. The whole 9 yards. Anyway, they put me in a barrack and since I'm a female, I only had 1 roomy. The males had about 4 per room. Well, you are up at 06 to 1600 taking part in working parties, you get breakfast lunch and dinner with your meal card, you go speak with a lawyer, write a statement. Then you go talk with the CO. Then is when he asks you if you wanna stay in or get out. Or should I say then is when he beggs and pleads with you to stay in! If you want in, just tell them, and they are more than willing to work with you! If you want out, make it very clear that you do. Most of the people I was in seperations with were all from grunt units. They did not treat them any differently for going UA. No one is gonna treat you mean, or disrespect you at all, they do not tollerate that. Also when your work day is done at 1600 and on your weekends, you are free to do and go where ever you want. even off base. Just don't go UA from seperations. That is the worst thing you could do there. Just let them help you and don't screw them over! I recieved a General under other than honorable discharge in 2 months. It did not screw up my carreer options at all! a month after I got seperated I was hired on at the Sheriffs Office, i did that for 2 1/2 years, and now I am in training to be a flight attendant so that I can travel the world freely! Don't believe what they tell you about not being able to have a career if you choose to get out cause I'm proof that's BULL****. If you stay in, have fun and remember, EVERYONE makes mistakes. Just some are bigger than others ;-)

feel free to ask me questions

Yeah, the whole 180 days talk.. I had it with GI Rights already. I called them as soon as I found their number on my phone's browser when I typed UA on google. They told me all that. And you are right, they have no clue when it comes to the USMC. I hate that. Guess we have to be the ones to update a little. I am excited at reading your reply. I sure hope that things go down the way you explained it.. or somewhat like it. As long as I get to stay in. My recruiter contacted a good friend of mine who is like a brother to me who is also a Marine and told him he wanted to talk to me, for me to call him. He has no intentions to turn me in, he just wants to talk. Uh huh. Ok. I am still contemplating it. I am planning on going back asap. I really want to go back to my old life, not the civilian one. The Marine life. You went UA from bootcamp? Wow. Well, that what one would assume when they hear P.I. I look forward to actually coming back to this forum and updating this post in a couple of months.. wether I am a civilian.. or a Marine. Either way.. I won't lose the title. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. I earned it.. went through 4 months of hell, MRP included to earn it and theres no way one mistake I made is going to take it. As you can tell I am highly motivated. Yeah.. Too bad I didn't have this much motivation at the time I went UA. I would have never left.. Thanks again for all the advice/info.

[SHORTY LONG]

See you are still tottering. :roll eyes: Just remember
the longer your are [ua/deserter] the more harshness
you bring upon yourself! I will see if i can get someone to
hold your hand if that is OK with you.