Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 6/1/2009

Question
I know someone who was in the army and went AWOL in 2004. I believe he went AWOL due to financial problems he went to his chain of command and explained that he wasn't getting paid and that his family was about to get evicted.  His chain of command told he to do what he had to do, this is a true statement I as well as three other active duty personnel witnessed these comments.  So the soldier did just that he left and took care of his family and has not looked back since but now he wants to turn himself in because he wants to be back in the army.  What would be his punishment and would they let him back in?

Answer
If the facts are as you stated them, your friend is a deserter.  If/when he turns himself in he will be facing jail time and a bad conduct discharge.  He will leave the service with a federal felony conviction and be barred from ever serving or holding another government job.   Despite what his chain of command told him to do, he had no authorization to go AWOL for 5 years.  Sorry, but his chances of staying in the military expired after he decided to leave his base and not return.