i keep hearing awol during war is punishible by death , but will the army really do that ? they havent since WW2 and there was a soldier awol 39 years and got 25 days in prison...how is that possible?
2007-12-27 16:46:50 · 8 answers · asked by WHO KNOWS? 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
As stated can be. The last one to actually shot (I really mean Shot)for being AWOL/UA was Eddie Slovik in WWII.
It depends on if the US Pursue the penalty and if the Members of a General Courts Martial Recommend it, and the Convening Officer or his Superiors allow it.
2007-12-27 17:05:27 · answer #1 · answered by Think for yourself 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AWOL is when a soldier is absent without leave for a period of no more than 30 days. If he returns within this time he will be more than likely be given an Article 15 or Non-Judaical Punishment. Desertion in time of peace is a jail-able offensive in Federal Court and Federal Prison. The military is no longer involved in a peace time deserter. In war time only a front line soldier who abandons his post at the risk of others is subject to a courts martial with the possibility of death. The man who said Pvt Eddie Slovak was the last man shot for desertion is right. The final decision to shoot him was left to Ike. He had the choice to have him shot or spend the rest of his life in Federal Prison making big rocks into small rocks.
2007-12-27 17:51:47 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Death Penalties are reserved for Desertion of a forward position, not just genericly going AWOL. And as others have said, that is a possible maximum, not a mandatory sentence.
Deserters are actually extremely rare, especially in an all volunteer army. There may have been some instances since WWII, however we haven't heard of them because they were most likely dealt with summarily and outside the JAG system. Listed as a training accident/KIA/etc.
2007-12-27 17:06:13 · answer #3 · answered by lmn78744 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The death penalty is not being enforced by the military,
however a life sentence in a military prison means life.
2007-12-28 00:48:12 · answer #4 · answered by conranger1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any law is usually stated as a maximum. The sentence is usually left up to the Courts Martial (in this case up to and including the death sentence).
2007-12-27 16:51:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Write the President of the United States, your state representatives, or congressional delegates. Someone, probably an intern, will send you a letter containing a lot of legalese, and you still won't know the answer!
2007-12-27 17:52:40 · answer #6 · answered by Baby Poots 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
~Can~ be punishable by death; not ~must~ be. If brought to court-martial, the court can order a lesser punishment.
2007-12-27 16:50:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It CAN BE punishable by death. That doesn't mean it will be.
2007-12-27 16:51:59 · answer #8 · answered by Barry auh2o 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋