Another UA Marine in need of advice!

[dangerbandit]

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

Let me start by saying Im a 19 year old PFC in the United States Marine Corps. I was in the fleet for 4 months before leaving. I have been UA since september and I do plan on turning myself in.
I already read 'I just turned myself in' by the poster called bison (https://forum.freeadvice.com/military-law-92/just-turned-myself-390691.html)

I was just wondering about how some of the specifics of my situation will come into play.
1) I found out last week that my company is deploying in the spring, when I left my battalion was still selecting which companies would go.
2) I dont have any past offenses.
3) I didnt take anything but my weapons cards, military ID, issued steel toe boots, a cover, ice eye pro, and a sleeping system.

so here goes my questions:
1) if I turn myself in before my company deploys, can I still go with them or will I be put in the brig if I turn myself in after they deploy?
2) would turning myself in and testing positive for marijuana get me out faster or just make my discharge worse? Doenst the UCMJ state that all those who admit to marijuana usage are immediately separated with an other than honorable discharge?
3) whats better in terms of after Im out of the military: to retain and try to get a good discharge after an mos change or to try to get out as fast as possible.
4) should I turn myself in now or wait for the 180 day mark?
5) should I turn myself into camp pendleton or Quantico? (I have heard that quantico is the place most people turn themselves in at, but im a hollywood marine and Im currently in california)
6) what kind of discharge will I be looking at? (I was told that Id most likely get dishonerable or bad conduct, but Im really hoping for an OTH)

your advice is welcomed and appreciated.
I will continue posting, letting everyone know my plan of attack and how it all goes down, so I can hopefully help out a Marine (or other service member) stuck in the same situation.

Please no negative comments, I dont need anyone telling me Im a pussy (sorry for the language), I am going back!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[redleg17]

I'll answer a couple for you:

#2) Nothing obligates the military to just "kick you out" for illegal drug use, your commander can charge you with violating Article 112a of the UCMJ which is punishable by "Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 2 years". For marijuana usage, you're more likely to be offered an Article 15, and I can imagine you'd rather do the extra-duty than spend 2 years in jail.

#3) 500 people showed up recently to apply for jobs at pizza place here in Georgia (a minimum wage job) ....no kidding, the line went around the block. If you just take a bad discharge to get out quicker.....where do you think that you'll fall in terms of desirabilty in a pool of applicants were they have 15-20 people applying for each position? At least one person in that line is going to have a clean employment history and a honorable discharge from the service....guess who's probably getting the job?

 

[ERAUPIKE]

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

Let me start by saying Im a 19 year old PFC in the United States Marine Corps. I was in the fleet for 4 months before leaving. I have been UA since september and I do plan on turning myself in.
I already read 'I just turned myself in' by the poster called bison (https://forum.freeadvice.com/military-law-92/just-turned-myself-390691.html)

I was just wondering about how some of the specifics of my situation will come into play.
1) I found out last week that my company is deploying in the spring, when I left my battalion was still selecting which companies would go.
2) I dont have any past offenses.
3) I didnt take anything but my weapons cards, military ID, issued steel toe boots, a cover, ice eye pro, and a sleeping system.

so here goes my questions:
1) if I turn myself in before my company deploys, can I still go with them or will I be put in the brig if I turn myself in after they deploy?
2) would turning myself in and testing positive for marijuana get me out faster or just make my discharge worse? Doenst the UCMJ state that all those who admit to marijuana usage are immediately separated with an other than honorable discharge?
3) whats better in terms of after Im out of the military: to retain and try to get a good discharge after an mos change or to try to get out as fast as possible.
4) should I turn myself in now or wait for the 180 day mark?
5) should I turn myself into camp pendleton or Quantico? (I have heard that quantico is the place most people turn themselves in at, but im a hollywood marine and Im currently in california)
6) what kind of discharge will I be looking at? (I was told that Id most likely get dishonerable or bad conduct, but Im really hoping for an OTH)

your advice is welcomed and appreciated.
I will continue posting, letting everyone know my plan of attack and how it all goes down, so I can hopefully help out a Marine (or other service member) stuck in the same situation.

Please no negative comments, I dont need anyone telling me Im a pussy (sorry for the language), I am going back!What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

Redleg is wrong on this one. The Department of the Navy has a strict Zero Tolerance policy for drug usage that will simply compound your already very serious issues. You are looking at some very serious charges under the UCMJ. The route you take may dictate how serious those charges and how harsh the punishment will be. Let me try to answer these questions one at a time:

1) If you wait until after your company deploys to return to military custody there is a very real chance you will be charged with desertion. You can then expect to spend a very long time in the brig. We can not tell the future so we can not tell you if you will be retained or not. This is usually done on a case by case basis.

2) You will face a more serious punishment and additional charges for returning hot for marijuana or admitting to drug use. This is definitely not an easy way out.

3) Finishing your enlistment will have a much more advantageous benefit to you in your future. Getting discharged for your conduct will follow you the rest of your life. You will regret it.

4) The longer you wait the more your problems when you return will compound. There is no magic day that the military will no longer retain you. If you are picked up on your warrant before you return on your own free will, your problems will become worse. You will be viewed as a flight risk and you will remain in the brig until you are either discharged or brought to trial and convicted of desertion.

5) You should return to military custody the fastest possible way yu can. It does not matter where you decide to do this. You will receive the same treatment at any base. If you are discharged you will likely be responsible to get yourself back home.

6) You have an equal chance of receiving any of those discharges. It all depends on your actions and the decisions of your cadre when you return.

Saying that you are going back is very different then actually doing it. No one on this board can predict the outcome of this very difficult situation you have created for yourself. Time to man up and face your consequences.

 

[redleg17]

I stated that he could face additional charges for doing drugs rather than just "getting out faster"... how is that incorrect?

 

[ERAUPIKE]

I stated that he could face additional charges for doing drugs rather than just "getting out faster"... how is that incorrect?

You stated, "Nothing obligates the military to just "kick you out" for illegal drug use," which is incorrect. The Department of the Navy has a strict policy that allows no lead way for a commander. Any person shown to be using drugs will be separated from the service with an adverse discharge.

 

[redleg17]

Let me change my emphasis:

I'm not saying they're going to let him stay in, the point I ineffectively tried to make is that they are going to add the drug charges on top of what he's already facing. His question was is he could "get out faster" if he told them he did drugs....and that is not the case, he is more likely to be punished for the drug charges on top of the UA on the way out the door.

Sorry for being unclear.

 

[dangerbandit]

so the 180 day mark doesnt matter?

Will I still deploy with my company if I turn myself in now? (they are set for april)

thankyou for taking the time to write back.

 

[ERAUPIKE]

so the 180 day mark doesnt matter?

Will I still deploy with my company if I turn myself in now? (they are set for april)

thankyou for taking the time to write back.

Let me answer both of these for you again.

No, it will only make things worse.

There is no way to tell. We cannot predict the future.

 

[cyberspook]

so the 180 day mark doesnt matter?

Will I still deploy with my company if I turn myself in now? (they are set for april)

thankyou for taking the time to write back.

Just turn yourself in and get it over with. If you are afraid of deployment, then you can refuse to train.

The best advice I can offer, is to not live on the lam. You must confront this and get it over with.

Best wishes and happy holidays...

 

[dangerbandit]

Just turn yourself in and get it over with. If you are afraid of deployment, then you can refuse to train.

The best advice I can offer, is to not live on the lam. You must confront this and get it over with.

Best wishes and happy holidays...

Thankyou. I am not afraid of deployment, I want to retain and deploy, wish I had just realized that before I became a deserter. Im going back, Ill update you all on what happens

thanks for all the advice