Just turned myself in.

[bison]

Well, for the most part.

I called very late, around 4:15AM. A lady (civilian) answered the phone, I told her I wish to turn myself in. She asked how long I'd been gone, I told her since around June. She asked me if this was my first offense, I said "Yes." She told me "There would be no problems discharging you and getting you out of here pretty clean then." She didn't mention a specific discharge. I told her I missed a movement and made it to the fleet as well, she told me it doesn't really matter.

She said I'd be going to Quantico instead of Camp Lejeune because I've been gone for longer than 180 days so my unit has dropped me. I told her I wished to retain, but if possible change units. She said that would be up to the Marines, and the earliest time they are available is 8:00AM.

I would be going to Quantico no matter what however, and spending time there. "For a while" was the exact words used. I'm only going so deep into the call because there is very little-to-no USMC "UA" knowledge here.

She told me to call back at 8:00AM and speak with a Sgt, which I honestly can't wait for. I promise all of you UA Marines, once you make this phone call (to the stickied number) you will feel a LOT better about yourself, and if all you want is out then it's much easier than it's made out to be.

So for all the people wanting to get out, as long as you don't have any previous problems with the military, it's really no problem. You'll spend some time in Casual Platoon in Quantico, VA and be sepped out pretty fast. If you wish to retain, you can really easy - just say it. Don't pop when you return, because there is a drug test.

I made a mistake. The biggest mistake of my life. All I ever wanted was to be a Marine and I really messed up bad. This mistake is getting corrected, I will retain and serve my country honorably. Although my dream of being switched out of the Infantry has about a 1% chance of happening, or even getting switched to a new unit (My unit is deployed after all. And no that's not why I left.) I'll just have to deal with it and go on.

For those UA Marines wishing to get out - it's an easy process. If you want to get out and you've made it to the fleet you're going to want to wait 180 days. I don't know anything about boot recruits or school Marines, but I'd imagine it's about the same.

I'll check in again once I call that number. I can't believe it's taking me this long to do this. If you're UA - CALL THAT NUMBER and get it over with. From one Marine to another, if you don't turn yourself in now your six is going to be in some deep **** if you're caught.

I'm hoping to finally provide some Marines UA information into these boards. I will also write when I'm settled in Quantico. As far as I know, they give you weekends off and every day ends at 1600. It's basically like fleet life but you just do working parties all day.

To the Marine that planned on turning himself in February 1st - I'd like if you turned yourself in today with me and we could go through this together. If you're interested, let me know.

 

[bison]

I just got off the phone with the Sgt. He's calling back within the next 30 minutes and what it sounds like is I'll need to go to the local recruiting station to be given the orders. Everything is paid for (plane ticket, etc.) and I'll be flying to Quantico.

I asked him about retaining he said all that stuff is sorted out when you get down there. Most likely if you admit you made a mistake or whatever, they will keep you. If not, you'll be processed out "pretty quickly."

I feel like I'm finally turning my life around, I can only hope you other UA Marines can do the same thing. I'll also be flying alone and I'll be taking a taxi alone from the airport to the base, no hassle from MP's or anything.

Turning yourself in is the way to go. Don't wait around until you get caught.

He should be contacting the local recruiting station now. I'll keep everyone informed.

 

[SHORTY LONG]

So what telephone number did you call?

 

[bison]

Change of plans I suppose (or it could be.) Just got a chewing from the local First Sergeant. I'm going to the local Marine Corps base (I didn't even know there was one, it's really small.) at 1300 to pick up my orders. They sounded pretty pissed down there, but where I'm going everyone is supposively chill.

They're saying now "either Quantico or Lejeune." If you made it to the fleet, they call your unit first. I'm guessing they decide but I don't know. He said there's like a 99% chance I'm going to Quantico, especially since my unit is deployed. Then I received a chewing about my unit being deployed. I know I deserve all the chewings I'm about to walk into.

If you're UA it's really serious to turn yourself in, I noticed the level of respect I got was pretty high for doing that. I will fly out "tonight or early tomorrow morning." I'll check in at 1300 and let everyone know what's going on.

 

[bison]

So what telephone number did you call?

(703)614-2934

 

[>Charlotte<]

If you could please update as long as you can, it will be valuable information for anyone who searches these forums in the future.

Good luck, bison. You did the right thing.

 

[bison]

If you could please update as long as you can, it will be valuable information for anyone who searches these forums in the future.

Good luck, bison. You did the right thing.

I'm going to be a frequent visitor here for a long time and try to knock some sense into these UA Marines. That's what I plan on doing when I return to my (a?) unit as well, all the new Marines that come through I'll tell them about my experience and try to scare them off of the idea to go UA a bit.

 

[bison]

Alright I'm going to try to type this up as fast as I can.

The First Sergeant down there got me a plane ticket to Washington, DC where I'll be taking a cab to Quantico. From there I turn myself in at the gate and I get directed to Headquarters Battalion (or something of that nature.)

They wouldn't trust me to show up on my own so they are taking me to the airport, because I am their responsibility now. We had a long talk about everything, and he's supporting me to retain. He told me to tell everyone down there that I want to retain like a broken record.

I'm packing cammies and everything now, no need for service uniforms I was told. I was told to bring 2-3 change overs to civilian clothes, green cammies specifically, and 1 pair of deserts just in case.

Everyone there was real cool about the situation. The first 10 minutes or so was straight ass chewing but after that it was real talk, a real long talk. With the First Sergeant & the Captain.

Turn yourself in now if you're UA, the longer you stay UA the worse it's going to be on you. I'm choosing to retain. You don't have to. He said if I were to be discharged I'd be there for MAYBE 30 days MAX. Now I don't yet know if that's true or not, but I'll let you guys know.

After you turn yourself in you'll feel much better, but scared. I can't stress it enough. Remember how you felt that night at MEPS knowing you were going to boot camp for the next 13 weeks? Or when you left your home for the last time? It's that same feeling. You conquered it before, you can do it again.

I'll talk to you guys when I'm in Quantico.

 

[SHORTY LONG]

How about how we felt getting off the bus, and standing on the yellow foot prints.

I hope you all the best, and upon your return, if I can do anything to help, please let me know.

Semper Fi!

 

[bison]

hello all. I'm writing this from my cell phone so please bare with me.

when you turn yourself in it really is NOT BAD. it does matter if you turn yourself in or if you're caught. one thing I learned here is the marines WILL come to your house or send someone to your house. you might be surprised of how many deserters are picked up from their homes.

I was picked up from the gate by the duty sgt from casual platoon. everyone on the outside will try to feed you a bunch of bs about how you're going to be dishonorably discharged, go to the brig, etc. just don't listen to them. even the guards at the gate were telling me that stuff.

I was given a room to sleep in overnight then moved into a room with another new casual. I'm sitting in medical right now finishing up check ins. weekends are really chill, yesterday I just stayed in civilian attire.

you basically wake up at 5, formation at 530, then chow until 715 or so. after that you go to check ins or working parties. then you get noon chow from 1100-1300 (or so) and you're off at 1630. after 1630 you basically do what you want until 1930. then there's one more formation at 2100 or 2130 and you're turned in for the night. you don't have to go to sleep though, you can do what you want.

you can bring cell phones, laptops, speakers, whatever. I highly reccomend bringing your own cammies and boots. the casuals that didn't were issued desert cammies (the uniform of the usmc right now is greens until summer) and different sized boots. basically you stick out.

you'll meet with the gunny and he'll read you your rights and ask you what you want to do. I requested to retain with an mos change. its been done before and he told me he'll see what he can do, they will most likely just keep me on this base.

everyone here is really chill and easy going. your sgts are chill, and most casuals are. of course in the marine corps there's going to be those certain few, but just stay away from those idiots.

DO NOT I repeat DO NOT turn yourself in to the police. turn yourself in

 

[bison]

sorry had to run yesterday. anyway, do not turn yourself in to the police. the chasers will come get you and it will be counted as apprehended, not surrendered. turn yourself in to the military, preferably the stickied number. that's what I did. there's only about 2 of 20+ marines that turned themselves in, including me.

but things are simple here, don't worry about it. turn yourself in and get it over with. just get over that initial fear and realize that this is NOT bad.

any questions I'll be more than happy to answer.

 

[LameBoringChik]

???

How long where you ua for?
how long where you in before you did??

 

[bison]

Hello all.

Just an update, I'm still in Casual Platoon. Because I hit the fleet and because I wish to retain I'm taking longer than most.

Keep in mind the Marine Corps handles everything case by case, however this is the general breakdown of things.

Boot Camp Recruits - If you go UA as a recruit and turn yourself in here, you will be sepped out very fast. We just had a guy from Canada who was UA for 21 years from boot camp get an OTH in 3 weeks. Quit being afraid, there IS a warrant out for you.

UA from boot leave - Basically the same deal. Expect to get NJP'd (company/battalion level) within your first week or two here. You will be given 45 days restriction, but only serve 25-30 days of that restriction before being sent home with your OTH.

ITB/MCT UA Marines - Same thing as going UA from boot leave, only thing that may take longer is if ITB/MCT won't talk to Quantico, which rarely happens.

Fleet Marines - It's rough. If your unit deployed within 180 days from when you went UA expect to go against Missing Movement with your UA charge. This doesn't mean you will be charged with it, it simply means you're up against it. It's more of an add-on to a UA charge than it is anything else. Your unit has to personally prove you knew about the movement, you did build ups, etc. which is rough on them, it's hard to prove that, I've seen 1 Marine out of about the 5-6 Marines that have went against it actually get charged with it, but he went UA after the Viper, which is the final build up before deploying, so it was obvious.

If you hit the fleet you're automatically put up against a Special Court Martial. However, it is VERY unlikely that is what you will go against. Your lawyer will most likely get it bumped down to a Summary Court Martial, which has a 30 day max limit in the brig. Hint: Try to get Captain Johnson.

There's also a thing called a SILT (Separation in Lieu of Trial) which basically means you get separated from the Marine Corps without going to trial. It's hard to get but it's always worth a shot.

YOU WILL BE DRUG TESTED THE FIRST DAY YOU GET HERE. This can be drastic on your case. Wait to get the drugs out of your system before turning yourself in. It will turn your company level NJP into a special court martial instantly. You'll have a UA charge + a drug pop.

If you have recent UCMJ charges, or have went UA numerous times, expect to go to the brig instantly. You will be considered a flight risk and will not be put in casual platoon, instead you will go straight to the brig. Which isn't that bad of a deal in the long run, your trial goes about 3-5x faster if you're in the brig. The brig is tired of holding UA Marines and will try to process you out quickly.

Bring your cell phones, your laptops, anything you want. After 1630 on the weekdays and basically the entire weekends you have liberty. If you get put on restriction though you have to check in every 2 hours on the weekends. Casual Platoon also holds females in case anyone was wondering.

If you wish to retain make sure you don't pop. Plain and simple. When I got here I was the only retainer, now there's about 5 or 6. If you just want to get out though just stick with it and you'll get out. If you want to retain you can, but remember the Marine Corps doesn't like making deals, so don't come here saying "I'll retain IF" because it doesn't work like that.

For me, I'll probably be sent to a new grunt unit but my lawyer is going to try and keep me on this base, because that's what I want. But whatever.

Casual Platoon is actually a pretty good time, you'll have fun after your first 2 weeks or so when everyone gets to know you. You also get paid while you're here, so just turn yourself in and get it over with. Especially if you're just out of boot camp or in SOI or something stupid like that.

I'll check in randomly guys, have a good one.

 

[the25thHour]

i was UA for 3 months and i popped on the piss test for marijuana when i came back, i got 30/30, half pay suspended for 1 month, and reduction in rank. no one ever even mentioned a court martial. i am in the fleet as well. so it really depends on your unit.

 

[LameBoringChik]

how long do you have to be ua to be sent to quantico?