AWOL/DFR Status, etc.

[corruptfable]

What is the name of your state? = Kentucky

Just have a couple of questions (not unlike a lot of other AWOL soldiers here) that I'm hoping to get some answers to, as well as opinions about my situation that has developed since last year as of August, 2007.

I was an 11B in the US Army that enlisted in August of 2006 and decided to terminate my own contract by going AWOL in August of 2007 from my duty station in Ft. Wainwright, Alaska due to family issues/mental instabilites. Basically I feel that half a year is ample enough time to be DFR'd and finally turn myself in at Ft. Knox to get the military behind me once and for all, but after reading a lot of posts here in this forum I'm not so sure.

In December of last year I called the GI Rights hotline to get valid information on how I should proceed with doing this the right way, and from them I recieved the Deserter Hotline number of (502) 626-3711...but when this number was called a very rude individual said they no longer give out DFR information. Now I have another number of
(502) 626-3712 that I'm about to call shortly...unless someone can save me the trouble and tell me whether it's worth my time or not. I am fully aware that turning myself in without being DFR'd quite literally means that they will send me back to my unit, even if it's in cold Alaska...but a gentleman at the GI Rights hotline said this wouldn't occur since Ft. Wainwright is not in the continental US. Anybody know if this is accurate information?

In two weeks I plan to have a close friend drive me to Knox in order to turn myself over to the proper authorities, but I don't feel safe in doing it without exactly knowing if I'm dropped from my unit's roles...last thing I want is to go back to Wainwright, for obvious reasons. Anybody got some advice? I'm aware of what I need to do...just would like some opinions and some answers before I do it. If the Hotline doesn't give me what I want, is there another way to gather the nessecary information? And one more just to save me from shifting through all the posts again to find the answer, when I go to Knox should I just have my friend drop me off right outside the gate and then approach the MP's and tell them I'm there to turn myself in? Just want to know the exact know-how's.
Any information is appreciated, and thank you for the time.

 

[SHORTY LONG]

What is the name of your state? = Kentucky

Just have a couple of questions (not unlike a lot of other AWOL soldiers here) that I'm hoping to get some answers to, as well as opinions about my situation that has developed since last year as of August, 2007.

I was an 11B in the US Army that enlisted in August of 2006 and decided to terminate my own contract by going AWOL in August of 2007 from my duty station in Ft. Wainwright, Alaska due to family issues/mental instabilites. Basically I feel that half a year is ample enough time to be DFR'd and finally turn myself in at Ft. Knox to get the military behind me once and for all, but after reading a lot of posts here in this forum I'm not so sure.

In December of last year I called the GI Rights hotline to get valid information on how I should proceed with doing this the right way, and from them I recieved the Deserter Hotline number of (502) 626-3711...but when this number was called a very rude individual said they no longer give out DFR information. Now I have another number of
(502) 626-3712 that I'm about to call shortly...unless someone can save me the trouble and tell me whether it's worth my time or not. I am fully aware that turning myself in without being DFR'd quite literally means that they will send me back to my unit, even if it's in cold Alaska...but a gentleman at the GI Rights hotline said this wouldn't occur since Ft. Wainwright is not in the continental US. Anybody know if this is accurate information?

In two weeks I plan to have a close friend drive me to Knox in order to turn myself over to the proper authorities, but I don't feel safe in doing it without exactly knowing if I'm dropped from my unit's roles...last thing I want is to go back to Wainwright, for obvious reasons. Anybody got some advice? I'm aware of what I need to do...just would like some opinions and some answers before I do it. If the Hotline doesn't give me what I want, is there another way to gather the nessecary information? And one more just to save me from shifting through all the posts again to find the answer, when I go to Knox should I just have my friend drop me off right outside the gate and then approach the MP's and tell them I'm there to turn myself in? Just want to know the exact know-how's.
Any information is appreciated, and thank you for the time.

Call either number after 0900 EST and be respectful. You will need certain information that you,
and the Army only knows, because of the abuse of this unit from phonies. If your question are
not answered, respectfully request to speak with the Section Chief.

Also, here are two links with lots of information:
https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=1824640
https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=380561

Lastly, I do hope you return to our Military Forum to update us.

 

[bedefan]

state: Indiana

You may be eligible for a discharge from the Personnel Control Facility at Knox because you are from an OCONUS unit. Unfortunately, USADIP is answering questions from fewer and fewer people. You should still try calling, however. As USADIP is a 24-hour hotline, you can call anytime. Last week an operator in the early morning was answering questions from people. I'm not sure if this is still the case.

If you have a security clearance of Secret or higher, or you are ranked higher than E-4, or your DFR paperwork has not yet gone through, you may be sent back to Alaska. It is perhaps not likely, but it is not impossible either.

In any case, your situation will be improved if you can bring documentation of mitigating circumstances for your AWOL: evidence of medical problems, psych problems, financial problems, family problems, anything that caused you to go or stay AWOL, and anything that might cause a reasonable person to treat you more leniently.