Going AWOL before Basic Training?

Question

My boyfriend is about to go to basic training in late August, but he's having second thoughts and told me he doesn't think he's gonna go. Are there any consequences at this point? He's already been to MEPS. I read somewhere that he'll have all sorts of problems getting a civilian job and everything. I need help with this matter and possibly have him read what happens if he doesn't go.

Answer 1

YOU ALL ARE CRAZY, IF HE IS IN THE DEP ( DELAYED ENTRY PROGRAM) HE CAN EASILY GO TO HIS RECRUITER AND TELL HIM HE CHANGED HIS MIND. IM IN THE ARMY RIGHT NOW BUT I HAVE HAD A COUPLE FRIENDS CHICKEN OUT AND DO THIS. MY RECRUITER EVEN TOLD ME THAT I COULD IF I DECIDED TO BACK OUT. WHICH I DIDNT AND NEVER WOULD BUT I FORGOT WHAT THE FROM IS CALLED. BUT BEFORE HE LEAVES FOR BOOT CAMP HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE HIS RIGHT HAND AGAIN AND SWEAR INTO THE ARMY. THE FIRST TIME HE SWORE IN WAS INTO THE DELAYED ENTRY PROGRAM. HE SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM.

Answer 2

he hasn't shipped yet, he cannot go AWOL. He can still drop out of DEP if he really truly wants to.. but..his recruiter won't like it and will give him grief about it, and rightly so.

Having second thoughts is perfectly normal.. but he has made a commitment. And five years down the road when he's kicking himself in the butt because he's flipping burgers at Gerble Bing, the military will NOT be willing to give him a second chance since he's already proved to be unreliable.

He'll be giving up an education, training, comraderie, pride, accomplishment and a sense of self worth if he wusses out now.

Answer 3

I was in the army for many years, i served as a military police officer. the short of it is, you will be listed as AWOL for a period of thirty days, once you have been listed as AWOL. then you will be listed as DFR and a federal arrest warrent will be issued for your detainment. once arrested you will be turned over to the military athorities, then you will be formally charged and and the legal wheels start to roll. then possibly ft. levenworth, not the good side either. When you finish your sentance you will get a disonrable discharge, and have a felony conviction on your record forever..... I would go to boot camp if i were you. hey you might get lucky and get thrown out. You signed the papers, you wanted the benifits, now do the right thing.

Answer 4

He's under contract It's too late. Time for him to be a man, do what he has to do and complete the contract. I am a veteran and I can tell you military life isn't all that bad. I toured in germany, desert storm and did guard duty at the olympic games in georgia. It really isn't all that bad and it will do wonders in making him grow up. A real man does not back down from his obligations. Just boot his **** onto the bus and tell him you'll wait for him. most likely he'll be gone about 3 years if he's full time, 8 weeks if he is not.

Answer 5

He probably feels trapped. He should go talk to his recruiter ASAP and whoever is supervising him ASAP. He should request to talk to a military psych and maybe see a civilian psych also to see if this is what he wants to do or not, and go from there. If he made a mistake, they will let him out, and even if he does go military, he will feel so much better. He'll regret it like you wouldn't believe if he just doesn't show up, as that will mess everything up, even if in the end he ends up going.

Answer 6

Yes, he can have all kinds of problems. Once he's raised his hand and swore the oath, he belongs to the US Government now. His decisions that he makes while he's young can haunt him and cause problems the rest of his life. I say that its a good opportunity, and go for it. He can get FREE schooling while in the military. The roughest part is basic training, where they'll mess with his head just to see how much he can take. All he's got to do is play their game and do whatever they want. It's really not hard at all. I say go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Best of luck to you dude...........

Answer 7

If he has signed the paperwork and especially if he has been sworn in, he is now in the military and subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). If he does not go, when caught, he will be subject to court marshal and will receive, at the very least, a dishonorable discharge that will follow him for life. His first orders are to report for basic training, and those are military orders, just like being assigned to a duty post.

If he does not go, with the intent of never going to serve, that is not AWOL, that is Desertion, he will be caught. Things like a simple traffic ticket can do him and get him arrested and held for the military.

By signing the contract to be in the military, he made a commitment and if he is a good and noble person, he will go and do his duty. Read from the UCMJ below:
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Article 85—Desertion
Text.

“(a) Any member of the armed forces who—

(1) without authority goes or remains absent from his unit, organization, or place of duty with intent to remain away therefrom permanently...

...(c) Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, but if the desertion or attempt to desert occurs at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct.”
.......................
Guide Note: The offense of Desertion, under Article 85, carries a much greater punishment, than the offense of AWOL, under Article 86. Many people believe that if one is absent without authority for greater than 30 days, the offense changes from AWOL to Desertion, but that's not quite true.

The primary difference between the two offenses is "intent to remain away permanently." If one intends to return to "military control," one is guilty of "AWOL," under Article 86, not Desertion, under Article 85, even if they were away for ten years. The confusion derives from the fact that, if a member is absent without authority for longer than 30 days, the government (court-martial) is allowed to assume there was no intent to return. Therefore, the burden of proof that the accused intended to someday return to "military control" lies with the defense.

A person who is absent for just a day or two, then apprehended, could still be charged with the offense of Desertion, but the prosecution would have to show evidence that the accused intended to remain away permanently.

Answer 8

Tell him to grow some balls and don't quit, he will get in trouble (minor) if he goes AWOL but he will not get in trouble if he goes to his recruiter and says I want to back out of this. He has not signed the last document that he will have to sign before he goes to boot. But don't let him quit, he shouldn't wimp out like that, everyone gets nervous before boot camp, but look unless he is going to the Marine Corps boot camp he shouldn't worry to much.

Answer 9

he could be charged with dereliction of duty, and be in a whole world of trouble. He needs to go and talk to the recruiter, and see what can be LEGALLY done. If he ignores this, he WILL be in trouble for the rest of his life. Good LUck!

Answer 10

yes he will get into deep trouble..omg...he should never rasied his right hand before the flag and spoke the oath!!!!
there are many ways to go about this but A.W.O.L. in war time is not one way......much more problems in a state of war to do this!!!... .
i dont blame him though... but when i took the oath i knew that serveing my country was what i wanted to do...no regrets!!!

he should have put more thought into joining before he did so....!!!
trust me its no joke going A.W.O.L in peace time...omg what will happen in a time of WAR is not something i can imagine!!!

in peace time there are many ways to back out of it..
and i would think that maybe a few might apply in a time of war..

good luck in this matter....