Just returned from Ft. Knox PCF 20110819

[JBook]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Jersey

I just returned from the Ft. Knox PCF and if you have yet to turn yourself in please do so. It really isnt that bad there and as long as you dont have pending article 15s or didnt go AWOL while deployed you will be out of there ASAP. The two best days of the week to get there are Tuesday and Thursday. If you are there on a Tuesday you will most likely be out by Friday 11am and if you get there Thursday you will most likely be out by Tuesday 11am. I personally got there Monday and was sent packing Friday morning at 1045am.

Your time there -
My experience is arriving at night so your experience may vary. I drove from NJ to KY and drove right to the Chaffee gate at Ft. Knox (Main Entrance). When I pulled up to the civilian officer I stated that I was AWOL and was turning myself in to the PCF. He asked for my ID and told me to pull over while he called his sergeant. I was then given directions to the MP HQ and told to park my car and walk inside. I went to the desk and told the MPs my situation and was told to take a seat. After about a half an hour the NCOIC of the awol app. unit came out and began to in-process me. Fingerprints etc. I was then escorted upstairs where I was pat down and my belongings were checked. You sign over all your belongings and are given PTs to change into and given a chance to shave if you need to. You will also have your haircut if it is not shaved before you arrive.

Wake up is at 0530 and you are given thirty minutes each morning to conduct personal hygeine and make your bunk. Your days there are extremely boring and you will not be able to smoke if you are a smoker. Try to go on every detail you can as it makes your time there go by much faster. Tuesday I was inprocessed which was basically a bunch of paperwork. Wednesday was a day filled with a whole lot of nothing. Thursday is when you see JAG and ACAP. You are given a chance while you meet with JAG to write a statement explaining your situation which could help you get your OTH discharge upgraded. I would urge everyone to write one as it cannot hurt you and can only help you. Friday morning you regain control of your personal belongings and are sent out at 1100am.

I cannot stress enough that while you are there respect the civilian escorts and workers. They control the amount of time you are there and if you slack off or show attitude you will stay. Refer to all the Sgt. as such and the LT as Sir.

Also be sure to bring your cell phone charger with you because during free time you are allowed to use your cell phone to make phone calls. Without your charger you may have to rely on someone else to get your phone charged which may or may not work out too well. When its all said and done you will walk out the door recieving an OTH discharge which we were told basically means you cannot work for the FBI/CIA or become a police officer. You also do not need to disclose the information on your job applications because you were not convicted of a felony. Anything else you guys/girls would like to know please post and I will do my best to get back to you.

 

[Marine Seagull]

No smoking policy, I said that.There is a grey area where some will let you smoke.

What your describing is how they treat you when you fall on the sword.

When you saw the JAG what did you sign: 1) SILT and 2) Waived your right to an ad sep board? Am I right? They told you the worse they would give you was an OTH and you accepted it. Nothing wrong with that, but that is not the only way. You don't have to accept an OTH. If you have some reason that might mitigate your situation or be reasonable for retention, now is the time to make those arguments.

Writing statements explaining yourself can be used against you later. not a good ideal unless your documenting command impropriety.

You give up a lot more than just a job opportunity for the police department with an OTH discharge characterization.

If your going to fight for your rights the story would be different.
I would assume if your going to fight for your rights then you would have a litigious issue you plan to tell to a court martial panel or a generals review.

But just because you go to court martial dose not mean you get kicked out.
On the other side of the coin there is greater risk, you might end up with a punitive discharge. If your AWOL for 4years then no I would be careful.
But 50days, I would try if I was in that situation.

After all that. Many times the best legal choice with the least risk is to just take the OTH. That's because going AWOL is a crime and when you commit it you put yourself at risk.
SO THE BEST CHOICE IS NOT TO GO AWOL OR COMMIT INFRACTIONS AGAINST THE UCMJ IN THE FIRST PLACE.

 

[JBook]

I am in no way saying that anyone should go AWOL. It depends on each person and their current situation. In my case, going AWOL was my final resort after using my chain of command to help with my problem. I was AWOL for almost four years after serving one and a half before turning myself in. Out of the twelve people that were there I was one of two that were permanent party and the only person who was overseas.

Seeing JAG I waived my right to a court martial to accept a CH.10 and be discharged. I had no desire to rejoin the military but the option was given to me. I do not know what the process would have been for that.

Also with going to a court martial, according to the O-3 that was speaking with us on behalf of TDS, you lose the ability to accept an OTH and losing your CM would get you a dishonorable discharge and a felony on your record with jail time. I took what was the easier and faster route so I could move on with my life and get back to my job. The purpose of this story was only to urge fellow AWOL servicemembers to go ahead and turn themselves in so they can stop hiding and regain some freedom.

 

[Marine Seagull]

How many years did you enlist for?

Why did you go AWOL after only serving such a short period of your enlistment? You had just recently enlisted what changed?

Why did you stay AWOL for four years? Your issue could not be resolved before then?

At what point did you decide that enough was enough and that you were going to turn yourself in to the authorities?

So you did 1.5 yrs of service then had 4 years of anxiety about being AWOL, how did you come to the conclusion AWOL was quickest solution to your problem. Looks to me that the faster way out would have been to serve your enlistment without incident and Honor.

Share your story tell how going AWOL has been nothing but short term relief, for a problem that you just had to face later. Tell how if you had not gone AWOL the out come could have been much better for yourself and family.

Going AWOL is never the answer, it puts you at a disadvantage of achieving what most awolers want, to get out.

 

[tls82107]

AWOL in basic

My son went AWOL in basic training and is scared is going through pcf a real process what did others do while being AWOL did people look for you and how did people find out if they have been dfr yet anyways Im looking for knowledge and some information thanks anyways please respond ASAP

 

[ERAUPIKE]

My son went AWOL in basic training and is scared is going through pcf a real process what did others do while being AWOL did people look for you and how did people find out if they have been dfr yet anyways Im looking for knowledge and some information thanks anyways please respond ASAP

Tell your \"son\" to start his own thread.