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Question
My step son graduated Army basic training in February, then he went to AIT. The end of March he went AWOL to get married to a 16 year old girl, he is 20 years old. He says that he plans on returning before the 30th day. What will happen to him when he returns?
Nancy -
AWOL is NOT to be taken lightly. He isn't working for a fast-food burger joint, he is a member of the U. S. Armed Forces. He can't come and go as he pleases, he has regulations to follow. I hope he doesn't think he will be returning to merely an angry parent that will sent him to his room. If he is lucky, he may only receive an Article 15. If his commander considers his infraction serious enough, he may even be courts martialed. The fact he has married an under-aged girl may open him to additional problems. He did not think this through ... he has already seriously damaged the beginning of a promising military career.
At the very least, he could be looking at fines, reduction in rank and additional duty. At worst, he could be looking at jail time and an administrative discharge from the military. Every day that goes by compounds his problems. I'm not sure what waiting 30 days will do for him ... the longer he waits, the worse it will get.
My advice to him is to return now before things get worse.
Sincerely,
James Bell
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Answers by Expert:
James Bell
Expertise
I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.
Experience
Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager
Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.
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