Going AWOL during Army bootcamp
@smellslikelilac (2)
United States
February 23, 2008 8:33pm CST
My 22 y/o son is in his 3rd week of boot camp in so. Carolina..........The military has added infantryman as his second job MOS without my son's permission. My son wants out of the ARMY ASAP........They told him to just walk out. Will he be considered AWOL, and if so, what will happen?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@bonansa2008 (219)
• Indonesia
15 Mar 08
It a little bit late to wants out of the ARMY...your son has been in his 3rd week of the programme that run by Pentagon. You should have a comprehensive consideration before letting your son goes for service.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
24 Feb 08
If I recall correctly, he can just walk away and not be considered AWOL. If i were you I would go see his recruiter ASAP on Monday (they are closed on Sundays) and find out the best option from your son. Often they will release you from your contract if you are still in bootcamp, it is after bootcamp that it is hard to get out..
@smellslikelilac (2)
• United States
24 Feb 08
Wow, that was fast!..........thanks so much for your interest........My son said NOT to contact his recruiter........But I think I should if he wants out that bad......I feel so helpless..........
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
24 Feb 08
Do not listen to your son. The BEST thing you can do for him is to contact his recruiter. The recruiter can help him get out without harming his future. I am pretty sure that since he is in boot camp he can walk away since normally you are not considered part of the service until you finish boot camp. Just like he could have changed his mind prior to boot camp, after signing his contract to not go with zero consequences.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
22 Apr 08
A little of both. No, the military won't actively persue him, but no, it isn't legal for him to just walk away.
What will happen is there will be a federal warrant out on him. Some city, state and county police forces pay attention to these warrants, others don't.
It could be anything from a simple taffic pull over to him trying to get a job that requires a background check.
If he is arrested, he will be brought back to the post he left (at his expense) and the Army will decide what to do from there. Either he'll get discharged and he'll be out, or they will start him back in Basic Training.
Right now they're probably not making it a point to keep training AWOLs in. However, there is no statute of limitations on it. It could be 40 years later that they decide he's worth bringing in.
When I was in I saw 2 people brought back in on these warrants, both had been gone around 15 years.
The fact is EVERYONE's secondary MOS is infantry, even if it isn't written down on paper. All military contracts include the language "according to the needs of..." I know it used to be that a troop could "opt out" if they didn't like the changes to their contract, I don't know how it is now.
I agree with everyone who says you should tell your son to "stick it out". Quitting because things seem "unfair" is a bad habit to start.
@RaysMom (42)
• United States
25 Apr 08
My son Ray, wanted out as soon as he was 3 weeks into basic...dive school. He was booted out because of ankle injuries, and he kept having nose bleeds. So, they, the Army, moved him to infantry...well, 2 weeks into that, broke ankle...*insert MOM freaking out***
I spoke with his regr...said that the Army can switch MOS anytime..
Now, my son is mason Combat Eng...Mine spec...*after 2 weeks training* looks for IEDS...blows IEDS up...
So, unless your son goes balistic, freaks out, and runs like the wind...nope...he'll have a warrant, no job opps...but not in jail..
Peace
D
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
15 Mar 08
Hi there
Just wondering how it went - was your son OK? Did he go AWOL?
Hope everything is OK!
@ImaKellygirl (1)
• United States
22 Dec 08
I have a nephew who signed up for the Army to deploy 1/7/09. He decided he doesn't want to go now. He took the Army oath. He needs to go in and serve. It would be good for him. Can anyone tell me what I can do to make sure he shows up on the 7th? His father was a pilot and killed in Desert Storm. Can he be arrested, etc, for not showing up?
Thank you so much
@rowdy8383 (1)
• United States
5 Jan 09
the way the system is set up is there is two swear in's (Army oaths) and as ling as he hasn't went to the second one the night before he ships out than he can just walk in and tell them that he has changed his mind and dont want to go anymore and he can walk away from this no consiquences, however they will pressure him and talk to him and try to convience him to stay. tell him to stay strong and if he doesnt want to go he dont have to
