AWOL & turning in

[youtaughtmetoo]

What is the name of your state? WI

Good afternoon,
I went AWOL from Army OSUT over Christmas Exodus. My report date was 04 January, so I've been gone for over 30 days. I'm ready to turn myself in and start the discharge process at Fort Sill but I had a couple of quick questions.

1.) When I call to check my DFR status, can I call from my cell or should I call from a pay phone? Alternatively, can I call from my home phone with a calling card?

2.) I understand the risks of driving... Should I fly? Can I check in at the airport or will my name come up? Is it even possible for me to drive up to Fort Sill or will they tow my car?

Any help and advice regarding this process would be greatly appreciated.

 

[youtaughtmetoo]

Legal related

A more legal question...

Should I obtain legal counsel before turning myself in or is that not necessary? It's not something that I can really afford, but if it's completely necessary then I will try and do my best.

 

[SHORTY LONG]

A more legal question...

Should I obtain legal counsel before turning myself in or is that not necessary? It's not something that I can really afford, but if it's completely necessary then I will try and do my best.

https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=379094

 

[jagsfan04]

Name of State: Iowa
Alright youtaughtmetoo, i just got back from ft.sill yesterday, ill try and help ya out...i just called the deserter hotline number from my cell, i wasnt to worried about them tracing the call since i was turning myself in shortly after anyways...if you are nervous you could call from a payphone or use a calling card, since it sounds you are ready to turn yourself in then dont worry about it. I live in Iowa and i had my brother drive me to ft.sill and drop me off, there were alot of others that brought a bus/taxi but it took them about 2 days to get there because all the stops they did, the ones that flew in were the ones that were arrested by the police and went to jail then were bought a plane ticket by the army. If you can afford to have someone drive you there do that, second option should be bus/taxi, then plane if you have to. But you could get apprehended at the airport, who knows. There wasnt anyone who drove them selves so I dont know what would happen if you did. Dont worry about a lawyer unless you are goin to try and stay in or have committed any crimes while bein out or before you went awol. Let me know if i can try and help anymore, this site really helped me alot in my situation so ill try and give back.

 

[Tanon]

Just call, you can use your cell phone.

Jags is correct that unless you committed another crime then there really is no point in seeking legal counsel.

 

[youtaughtmetoo]

Thank you all for your advice! I have a couple of other quick questions regarding travel...

Do we know for sure on whether or not air travel is safe? I remember reading something about checking in through the e-terminals but I wasn't sure if that was still okay. Also, what about travel via Amtrak?

I don't really have anyone to drive me (I was going to drive myself) but I'd rather not be on the road.

Again, any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Addaline]

did you leave yet?

Youtaughtmetoo... did you leave yet? My daughter just found out the other day that her Army desertion packet was received and she made bus reservations for next week (7 day advance purchase saves $100) She's using an alias first name nickname but I'll go to the bus station with her to identify her (on my credit card). Please post your experience because I'm sure there's a lot of disillusioned soldiers who are wanting to go this route. If the recruitment process was more honest and basic training was more civil I don't think desertion would be such an epidemic. It seems it's the only way out if you joined under false pretense. Good luck!

 

[SHORTY LONG]

False pretense is surely one thing, however, there is also three sides to every story:
(1) The Truth; (2) The Complainer; and (3) The Defendant.

Lastly, we are [at] war, and boot-camp is a far cry from the girl scouts with no disrespect!

 

[Addaline]

We have a choice here...... live in the past and complain, or deal with the present..... What is, is what is (and that's the long and short of it). Thanks for your help.

 

[youtaughtmetoo]

I haven't left yet. I called the hotline today (again) to see if I was dropped from the rolls and was told that they no longer give out that information. I called yesterday, however, and they gave me the info no problem. Unfortunately, I was told that I have not been DFR'ed yet.