AWOL from Fort Benning

Question

My son went AWOL on June 29th. He is at this very moment on his way back to Fort Benning to turn himself in. He wants to stay in now. My question is will they let him stay in and restart basic again?

Please, I'm upset enough about the whole thing and I would appreciate it if no one left mean answers.

Answer 1

It is likely they will hold an article 15 trial in order to assess both your son's intentions and actions. It is also likely that your son will be punished to some degree. That said, I think that your son returning of his own free will with the intention to complete his training will weigh in his favor so long as he is sincere and visibly displays his commitment.

AWOL is not uncommon at Benning. While I was there in 1994, two people from my platoon went AWOL. It can be a pretty scary place for young men and, often, recruiters fail to adequately convey the gravity of the choice to become a soldier. That said, there is no dishonor to admitting a wrong and accepting punishment for it. To my mind, if your son faces what is before him with honesty and the will to become both a better soldier and a stronger person, I think he will be OK.

My hopes for your son and for the wisdom of those who hold him in judgment.

Answer 2

Chances are that he will be discharged. The Army will not take the chance and/or the expense of training someone who has already shown they have no discipline............

Sorry

Answer 3

A lot of what will happen will depend on his Commanding Officer and who happens to be up the chain-of-command.  But he will face some kind of punishment.  One of the big questions will be whether he is charged with AWOL or Desertion.

Answer 4

We all make mistakes in this life,it will depend on his age and so forth ,did he have problems before the service and was given a waiver to join?if he turned himself in and admits his wrong doing,he may serve sometime  with the good old mps'cops' or he may get a fine and some good old confined to quarters time also.but he will be a target for the drill sgts and they may work him a little more to see if they are wasting the tax payers money.it will not be easy, but once he has proven himself it will work out and he may be even a better soldier, stick by him and give him support and dont sugar coat it eather,and when he grads from basic ,you all will be proud.

Answer 5

They will do anything they can to keep him in, so since he wants to stay that's good and will be much easier on him. These days when someone goes AWOL and comes back, the first thing they always try to do is retain them, get them to say they still want to serve. He will be fine, probably some minor punishment.  

Answer 6

Odds are they'll will put him in the stockade since he was gone over 30 days.  His company commander will have to make the decision whether to get him out immediately or let him sit in there and stew for a while.

Odds are also that he will receive what is called an Article 15. Like as not he will be fined, receive restriction and do extra duty.

IF the Army chooses to keep him, encourage him that he can indeed overcome all of what is on his record by becoming the absolute best he can be at everything the Army offers.

Answer 7

Every case is looked at differently..His reasons and actions while committing his crime will have a huge say in what he can and can not do..

Answer 8

He will most likely be confined in the brig for 30 days or more and then kicked out.  At least that's how the Marine Corps does things, just to give you an idea of what could potentially happen.  

Answer 9

He is no longer AWOL however is in a deserter status which will automatically get him a Courts Martial.  

Answer 10

At a minimum, he will receive a field grade Article 15, which means 45 days of extra duty and restriction to his unit area (even more restrictions than the average trainee) as well as a reduction to E-1 and part of his pay taken away for a few months.  It is up to his basic training command if they will allow him to stay and restart basic after he returns.  More than likely he will be a holdover and will be discharged after he completes his extra duty.  If he really pleads his case to his commander they might let him stay but if they do then they will most likely be even harder on him than the other recruits.  Also, he will most likely be worn out doing his training during the day and then doing extra duty after training is over which usually starts at 6pm and goes to midnight.