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A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/3/2006 4:17:26 PM

cuddleheart50

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http://www.wbir.com/news/regional/story.aspx?storyid=38381

< Message edited by cuddleheart50 -- 10/3/2006 4:18:31 PM >

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/3/2006 4:37:19 PM

WyrdRich

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I wish the paper had gotten it right in the headline. AWOL is properly used to describe an unauthorized absence with the intent to return. Big difference between this guy and somebody who sneaks off post for the weekend.

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/3/2006 4:52:58 PM

PlayfulOne

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They did get it right. He hasn't been charged with desertion, yet. So they are holding him for being AWOL..

I knew someone who decided he didn't want to be in the Navy anymore so just walked off. A year and a half later he decided to show up at his mom's and got arrested about two hours later. The charge, being AWOL.

K

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/3/2006 5:04:11 PM

WyrdRich

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It is similar to plea-bargaining Playful. Technically, AWOL becomes Desertion once you have been gone 30 days. The far more serious charge requires the prosecutor to prove there was no intent to return. It is just easier to throw them out on a non-judicial AWOL case. It's been a good long time since I was subject to the UCMJ, but I think an "other than honorable" discharge is the most severe you can get without a Courts Martial.

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/3/2006 5:14:12 PM

ScooterTrash

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quote:

ORIGINAL: WyrdRich

It is similar to plea-bargaining Playful. Technically, AWOL becomes Desertion once you have been gone 30 days. The far more serious charge requires the prosecutor to prove there was no intent to return. It is just easier to throw them out on a non-judicial AWOL case. It's been a good long time since I was subject to the UCMJ, but I think an "other than honorable" discharge is the most severe you can get without a Courts Martial.

Article 15 if memory serves me correct.

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/3/2006 5:30:03 PM

mnottertail

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A fifteen can go up to 5(years) and a kick(dishonorable) if they run it up to brigade (I think that is as high as they can go before a general courts-martial, whether it is a bird or a star at brigade.

Like everybody else it has been a few aeons since I had any uniform code to sweat so ......I could be full of shit as a christmas goose.

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/3/2006 5:50:37 PM

WyrdRich

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Where is TreSwank? I bet he still has enough boot polish under his nails to remember. I'm (almost) positive only a General Courts Martial can impose the Dishonorable, Summary and Special top out at a Bad Conduct.

If the Army really wanted to make a statement (and they obviously don't in this case), they could go very harsh with this guy.

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/3/2006 5:50:43 PM

PlayfulOne

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Rich,

Technically yes, but in reality he hasn't been charged with it yet. My friend was never charged with desertion. I thinik they are goign to try and make this go away as quietly as possible.

K

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/3/2006 6:00:46 PM

WyrdRich

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That is my take Playful. If this is the same guy I'm thinking it is, he has a bunch of well financed lawyers and whacko America haters all lined up on his side. Why play their game?

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/4/2006 4:17:04 AM

mnottertail

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Desertion is a bad deal altogether, don't forget Eddie Slovik. Desertion can go up to getting shot.

I agree the politicos will keep it at awol.

Ron

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/4/2006 4:58:45 AM

FangsNfeet

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He signed up to be a soldier. He knew what he was getting himself into. He's paid to do and not to think. He would have been better off to finish his time, come back, and then protest the WAR as Kerry did when he came back.

I've always found it interesting in how many soldiers go AWOL to get married. They set a wedding date only to learn that they can't get the day off. So what do they do? They go AWOL, marry over the week end, and then come back to spend six months in Levy.

When you enlist, it's not just a job, you're also owned and considered property of the government.

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RE: A Kentucky Soldier Who Went AWOL - 10/4/2006 5:15:12 AM

MstrDouglas

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The "less than honorable" discharge has become the easier way of getting rid of someone without all the hassles of the "dishonorable" discharge. Yes that is because of the trial that has to be gone through, the cost and of course all the bleeding heart lawyers getting involved. As to making it go away as quietly as possible, he can still wind up in the "big house" in Kansas without too much trouble, after all it is the military court they are dealing with and they can impose gag orders on all parties and keep it out of the news, as well as not allowing civilian lawyers to be involved. Remember, a soldier is just like a slave.... OWNED PROPERTY.....only they are owned by the US Military, and they play by their own rules when they want to.

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