My granddaughter is AWOL and I need advice so that I can help her. She seemed to adapt just fine in basic.?

Question

She made it through basic and endured stress factures to the leg, an ankle injury, and terrible hip pain. She refused to let her injuries stop her from completing basic. She was 1 out of only two people who made high marks in shooting. She seemed okay. When she got to VA for AIT everything seemed to fall apart for her. She couldn't seem to adapt. She was still in terrible pain and finally starting taking pain pills. She became highly depressed and tried to seek help from different people. She said that she couldn't cope and wanted a discharge. When she didn't get help she tried to commit suicide and was put on suicide watch. She is only 19 years old and is afraid to turn herself in because she said that she cannot cope with going back to VA. She has been AWOL for 25 days and I am afraid that if she doesn't turn herself in that she will go to a federal prison. She is not emotionaly strong enough to endure prison. How can I help her? We do not have the money for a lawyer.

Answer 1

She needs to turn herself in before the police catch her. That would demonstrate to her commander that she wasn't attempting to desert. That would go a long way toward mitigating what she has done.

At this point, she will likely receive administrative punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. She would forfeit a rank if she has one beyond Private E-1, some pay, receive extra duty, and restriction to the barracks for a time.

She may also receive an uncharacterized discharge, if she has been in less than 180 days. The AWOL may reduce that to a general, under less than honorable conditions, discharge.

Should she be AWOL for more than 30 days, she will be dropped from the rolls of the military, and a warrant for her arrest will be issued. Anytime she applies for a driver's license, gets stopped for a minor traffic violation, etc., will result in her immediate arrest, and return to military control.

At that point, she may still face the minor administrative punishment I mentioned earlier, but it is also possible that she could face a courts martial. She could end up with a prison term of one year to eighteen months, and a dishonorable discharge.

As far as an attorney goes, she will be provided an attorney through the Army. A civilian attorney would have to be paid for, as they are not usually covered by the military.

Answer 2

I would talk to her recruiter and get advice on who to contact. I'm not sure but it is possible that the pain medications may have contributed to her depression depending on what they were. It's too bad after doing so well in basic that this happened to her, but she has to assume some responsibility for seeking the proper help for her problems. Trying to tough it out sometimes isn't the correct choice and more extensive medical treatment is necessary. She needs to turn herself in NOW. She should explain to them why she left and explain how bad the depression was following her injury. They may take all this into account. It would be better for her if the military lets her stay, she gets healed up, and she resumes her training. If not she could possibly still get out with a general discharge, but the chances are diminished greatly once she's declared a deserter. Good luck.

Answer 3

Tell her to go back. It is very easy to get a discharge within IET (Initial Entry Training) which she is in right now. It is called failure to adapt. Some people just aren't made for the military. It could also be that she is away from home, culture shock etc. All of those things can cause depression.

Answer 4

Drive her to the nearest military installation immediately! After 30 days you are no longer classified AWOL, you are charged with desertion. If she doesn't report she will likely go to prison. She very well may anyway, but, assuredly so the longer she waits.

She will be provided a military defense lawyer free of charge.

Answer 5

With the short tenure your granddaughter has in service so far, a discharge is relatively routine and especially if she has exhibited physiological problems.

You may not want to do this, but my advice to you would be to find out from her where she is and make arrangements to have her picked up by the military police.

Although she will face some disciplinary action, it will be fairly mild and not ruin the rest of her life. As it is, where can she go and what can she do without somewhere, sometime, someone finding her and then she really will face serious time in prison and far more serious consequences

Answer 6

SHE NEEDS TO GET BACK ASAP. That is the most important thing right now. She will be punished, but she will also get the help she needs. Have her talk to a chaplain or someone in medical about what is going on. Have her get in touch with her command as soon as possible. It might not be a bad idea to have her parents contact her Commanding officer with their concerns. The CO is responsible for her.

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 7

Get her a lawyer, report with her to the nearest military office(best one located in a civilian government building, and find out what really is frightening her because she seems to be tough enough to deal with what you describe. Something happened to push her over. May the Three help you.

Answer 8

Better turn herself back in before 30 days from the time she left or could go to the brig (military prison)

Answer 9

If she was put on suicide watch, a discharge is short coming, have her return so the process can begin. A phone call to your congress mans office can help as there is someone on staff that is designated for such matters.(little known secret)

Answer 10

It wouldn't matter if you had money for a lawyer, this is a military matter. If she turns herself in she will probably only recieve minor discipline. Her best bet would be to report to a military hospital, admit that she is depressed and sick and has been absent without leave for the last 3 weeks.