What Happens If You Go AWOL In The Military?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If AWOL for more than 30 days,

a warrant for your arrest can be issued

, resulting in a possible federal arrest and conviction. This could lead to imprisonment, and the offense on your record can jeopardize your entire future, including your employment and career options.

Is it illegal to go AWOL from the army?


Someone can go AWOL for days, months, or even years

, and can be considered a deserter if he or she has no intention to ever return. Articles 85 through 87 of the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) describe three different types of AWOL. The severity of the punishment received depends on the length of the absence.

What is the punishment for going AWOL in the army?

For instance, being AWOL for less than three days can result in a maximum penalty of

confinement for one month and forfeiture of two-thirds pay for one month

. After 30 days or more, service members face dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a one-year confinement.

Does the military look for AWOL soldiers?

The Army will essentially be creating a “missing category,” according to the chief. “[

Soldiers] only become AWOL after a thorough investigation

, a thorough look for the soldier, dealing with the family, dealing with law enforcement [and] we can prove that they are absent without leave,” McConville said.

How many soldiers go AWOL a year?

AWOL and Desertion charges are not uncommon in the military with the Army accumulating anywhere

between 2,500 and 4,000 annually

.

Can AWOL get their salary?

Is an employee whose employment has been terminated due to “Absence without Leave” (AWOL) entitled to Final Pay?

Yes

, an employee whose was Absent without Leave (AWOL) from their job is still entitled to Final Pay.

Is going AWOL a felony?

The key difference between them is that AWOL/UA is a misdemeanor, while

desertion is a felony

that assumes the missing soldier abandoned the service with the intent never to return. To employ a school analogy: AWOL/UA is like cutting classes, while desertion is dropping out altogether.

Are deserters still shot?

Before the Civil War, deserters from the Army were flogged; after 1861, tattoos or branding were also used.

The maximum U.S. penalty for desertion in wartime remains death

, although this punishment was last applied to Eddie Slovik in 1945.

How long do soldiers work daily?

Military Work hours Vary. Occasionally work weekends. You are on call

24 hours, 7 days a week

.
Opportunities for advancement Excellent! You are challenged by your leaders and peers. The choice is yours if you would like to advance or not.

Can you refuse to go to war?

A

conscientious objector

is an “individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform ” on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, or religion. In some countries, conscientious objectors are assigned to an alternative civilian service as a substitute for conscription or military service.

Does AWOL show up on a background check?

If you go AWOL and do a background check

within thirty days, nothing is likely to show up

. If, however, you've failed to return after the 30 days, your unit will take official action to report you a deserter to the deserter information point, and input your information into the federal NCIC database.

How many soldiers went AWOL in ww2?

Although

over 21,000 American soldiers

were given varying sentences for desertion during World War II, including 49 death sentences, Slovik's death sentence was the only one that was carried out.

How many days is considered AWOL?

When you are continuously absent without an approved leave for

at least thirty (30) working days

you shall be considered on absence without official leave (AWOL) and shall be separated from the service or dropped from the rolls without prior notice.

Why do army recruiters lie?

This is a lie that

recruiters tell you to get you to sign into an open or high demand field

. While there are some jobs that provide you with skills you need to have a great civilian career, some jobs do not have an equivalent at all. This is something to consider when you do not plan to spend 20 year in the Military.

Can you quit the army?


There is no way to simply quit the military once you are on active duty

. You are contractually, and perhaps morally, obligated to see your commitment through. However, you could be discharged from duty early if you are physically or psychologically unable to perform your duties.

Can you be fired for being AWOL?

The employee's actions

can certainly be taken as a breach of contract

, and provided you can demonstrate that you've made reasonable attempts to make contact, have made clear to the employee the consequences of their actions, and invited them to a disciplinary hearing to put forward an explanation, a dismissal is likely …

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.