AWOL in AIT

[xXSxEXx]

Im here in AIT. We recently had a soldier go AWOL. What are the consequences of going AWOL/Deserter? Honestly myself I have been thinking of it. But I am nervous of the fact that I could face confinement. My reason for not wanting to be here, is I have become depressed since joinning the army and haven't gotten any better. i struggle with the fact that I am not as physical as I should be. On top of this I am in AIT in an MOS that I do not like. I had to reclass into it after not qualifying for my original MOS choice of 89D. Any help on what will happen and what I can do to get out. If anything I will just go AWOL for 31 + days till IM DFR'd and then turn myself in.
In most cases are people OTH for going AWOL from AIT?

PLEASE HELP!

 

[lvn4ever]

Search this site for the posts on AWOL. You'll find some goods factual information, some good input to consider as far as character/morality/impact on the future and you'll find some wild ravings.

As you read through the posts, remember that just because ONE soldier had a certain thing happen, you SHOULD NOT bank on the same thing happening to you. There is quite a bit of anecdotal advice based on ONE OR TWO situations. Also consider that NOT ALL THE FACTS are posted....maybe there was a civilian legal problem involved, maybe the soldier was being railroaded, maybe the soldier was a commensurate screw up.

I wouldn't stake MY future on a peice of anecdotal advice from a soldier who was associated with the military for a short time. The military is a BIG AND COMPLEX machine way beyond someone who has been in for 6 months to have a handle on.

Also, the effect of being discharged from the military with an OTH or dishonorable truly cannot be assessed after a short time. You will find LOTS of posts that brag that they went AWOL, got OTH quickly and now are loving civilian life. Remember that life at 20 or so is NOTHING like the REST of your life during which you may want to get some sort of job that involves the public trust ( teacher, banker, law enforcement, civil service) OTH can disqualify you from these job opps. I won't go on about the possible ramifications of OTH/ AWOL in your personal life, but they could be many. Think about how YOU would feel about someone who made a major promise, a major contractual agreement, preceded by lots of cautionary warnings from friends, family, media, recruiter ( any or all of these) and then decided , "WHOOPS, i made a mistake." I know these are NOT the people I am seeking out to be employees at my firm.

Yes, the actual AWOL/ discharge process can seem pretty quick and painless...but believe me AWOL/DISHCARGE doesnt end the day you hand back your BDU's. One guy, who was years and years past his AWOL and discharge wrote a very meaningful letter about this:

" As you could tell, I wasn't trying to
sugar-coat my actions, nor place blame where it shouldn't be. It was my
hope that the many young people in the position of contemplating going AWOL
would read my comments, and get some grasp of the big picture for their
lives, and not just the present. Unfortunately, I feel because of today's
instant gratification society, young people aren't the least concerned about
their long-term future, nor the ramifications their actions will have on
their family, or families-to-be.

I certainly grew as a person, and have a wonderful life, and I believe it's
because of my failures as a young adult, not in spite of them. I realized
every action I chose affects many, many down the line, directly and
indirectly. I became a more responsible member of society, but I fear that
those who choose the easy way out will, as they've posted on the forum, make
excuses for themselves, take no responsibility, and live a life of lies.

While I can't say what kind of person I would have turned out to be had I
not done what I did, I will continue to regret it for my lifetime, and
strongly urge against it all those who are considering it. I stopped
posting on Arron's forum, and stopped reading it, as it seemed all who
ventured there were only concerned with the easy way out, and not a solution
to their problems."

There is NOTHING i can add to what this man said.....

 

[xXSxEXx]

thanks for the info i still need more info. thanks again

 

[revere787]

going awol in ait

you can ask for an entry level seperation from your commander. Tell them that the military life is not for you. Read my post on the stressed fiance, its a couple down from this one.

 

[Crazed98]

you can ask for an entry level seperation from your commander. Tell them that the military life is not for you. Read my post on the stressed fiance, its a couple down from this one.

That would never work. It would be easier to just finish AIT go to your unit and eventually reclass.

 

[xXSxEXx]

if i were to go, i would just awol or finish my enlistment. im not realy worried about what type of discharge i got. b/c im well off in myfinances, and future employment. do you think a soldier who goes awol in ait would be rehabbed or discharged after being DFR.?

 

[rmet4nzkx]

if i were to go, i would just awol or finish my enlistment. im not realy worried about what type of discharge i got. b/c im well off in myfinances, and future employment. do you think a soldier who goes awol in ait would be rehabbed or discharged after being DFR.?

It is really too late to ELS and whether or not you think anything less than a honorable discharge will affect you, you are wrong. Make the best of your new classification and complete your enlistment. Things will improve after you finish AIT and you get posted. The worst is already behind you. Be sure to seek help for the depression you have.

 

[xXSxEXx]

Wow someone actually picked up on my depression. Everytime I have spoke to someone about it in the past they think I am ok and nothings wrong. Honestly regardless of what people say about the discharges and them haunting you for the rest of your life. I really don't care if I got anything less than honorable. I mean I thought the military was something that I would like. But even though poeple tell me it gets better, I dont think its for me. Ive been in the military for 3 1/2 months. I really think I made the wrong decision. If I had any way to get out now I would. But the only thing holding me back from just going is the fact that I dont want to face being locked up. Ive been a squared away soldier since day one. But its just not for me.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Seek treatment for depression, right now you don't care about the future because you are depressed. Also ask to be checked for endocrine disorders like Thyroid which can affect both depression and your levels of fatigue. This is the only way out without ruining your future. If you have always been a squared away soldier, you really want to try to make it work, who knows, if your depression is treated, things may look different, even asking for help can help you overcome your depression. Where are you at for AIT?
Keep us updated.

 

[xXSxEXx]

i have asked about help, but people seem to think I am ok. But eventually i will seek help. You would probably understand me more if you knew me. I know the military is not for me. but who knows?

 

[rmet4nzkx]

i have asked about help, but people seem to think I am ok. But eventually i will seek help. You would probably understand me more if you knew me. I know the military is not for me. but who knows?

Where are you at for AIT?
What is your new MOS?
Ask about test for thyroid.

 

[xXSxEXx]

thyroid test might be a possibility. but doesn't solve my problem of being in the military.
Sorry I dont feel comfortable in giving out my location or mos. I know your trying to help, but i wish to remain unknown.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

thyroid test might be a possibility. but doesn't solve my problem of being in the military.
Sorry I dont feel comfortable in giving out my location or mos. I know your trying to help, but i wish to remain unknown.

It might solve your problem.

We normally ask you state. I have two sons, one used to be an instructor at AIT. My other son had cold feet after joining the USMC and tried a lot of things to get out and his recruiter kept him in, his MOS was reassigned and he was depressed and in fact I asked they check his Thyroid, he was ok and eventually finished his enlistment, it was a positive experience for him and he would not be where he is now if he had never been in the Marines.

You can make your enlistment a positive or negative experience.

 

[xXSxEXx]

i appreciate your advice and atempt to help. I will be thinking long and hard onmy decisions for my future.

 

[Crazed98]

The reason everyone thinks your okay is because just about everyone there is depressed to some extent. You are treated like little kids and are given no respect. It would be abnormal to feel happy in a situation like that.

Telling us your MOS would help because we might be able to give you some insight into what life would be like outside of AIT.

I know some AITs are easier than others I went to 74b school in Fort. Gordon and most weekends we were allowed to go off base and have fun, drink, and forget all about army life it helped a lot. But I know of other AITs where you are on lock down the entire time and it is not much different from boot camp.

Going AWOL is a serious decision and it will haunt you. Read all the other posts of people trying to upgrade their discharges to honorable. You might not care now but there are 3 things that companies look for when hiring people: experience, education, and commitment. If you go AWOL you are messing up all your future job opportunities.