desertion army?

Question

My friend made it through basic and AIT but then before he was transferred to his unit he went to his commanding officers and told them about his gambling problems and how he needed to get help right away.. They didnt do anything at first so his family contacted red cross and the red cross contacted the military and he got a 10 day leave before going to his unit... He never made it back to the army. He was been gone for two years and he went to GA for his gambling help and he searched for god and found help there... It has been 2 years AWOL and he has gotten pulled over by the cops once for a speeding ticket and went to court... He has a good job where they run a background check on him... Hes bought a house and a new car... All of this while he was AWOL... And now that hes gotten the help he has saved up money for his family while hes gone he wants to know what happens now with the AWOL and why they havent hunted him down or arrested him when he was pulled over or bought a house????

Answer 1

They don't "hunt" deserters anymore. A federal warrant was put out for his arrest. Perhaps at the traffic stop the cop didn't run him through the NCIC. Perhaps the NCIC was down. In any case, sooner or later he'll be stopped for something and the federal warrant will be there.

If he's going to GA then he knows what he needs to do. Steps 8 and 9.....

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Tell him to talk it over with his GA sponsor. His sponsor will tell him it's time to make amends to the army.

He should go to the closest army base and turn himself in at the main gate. Do it first thing on a Monday morning so the army will have a full week to work on getting him out. If he still has his ID and uniforms he should take them with him. He will not be arrested but he will be confined to the base. It will only take a few weeks to a month for the army to process him out on a less than honorable discharge. It will be behind him and can move on with his life.

Answer 2

First, the military only prosecutes approximately 5 to 10% of desertions, so your friend's situation is far from unique. The Army typically starts to look for people when they have been gone after 30 days. The Army probably doesn't know where your friend is at, or isn't looking too hard for him.

Your friend should be OK, but may be hunted down by the Army through his tax returns. In addition, your friend won't be able to hold a federal government job (unsure about state or local).

Answer 3

I don't know why he hasn't been arrested. I also don't know what the Statute of Limitations is on Desertion, but I can't imagine it would be as short as two years. I would say that your friend should count his blessings, and try his damndest to not get arrested or stopped by the cops again, and pray to God that the MPs don't come knocking on his door.

Answer 4

if they are free to quit, this should be an implied quit. Why file paperwork? i'm not obligated to put in two weeks if i don't care. You didn't haul *** in a fire fight endangering others, so it shouldn't be a problem. And perhaps that's why they don't care to track him. I just read they only file charges against 5% of deserters cause most didn't really desert from a battle. They just leave the army.

Answer 5

I would have never signed up in the first place. I would never ever fight for a bunch of rich old dogs! Against my morals.

Answer 6

don't push your luck... accept it and pretend it didn't happen... I'd keep stuff like that quite.. you never know who would try to push it if they had a grudge... keep it quiet and to yourself...

Answer 7

same question again frank