Expert: Rod Powers - 5/30/2007

Question
I enlisted in the Navy Reserve about a year ago. After training I was assigned to a unit.  It has been 6 months after I was assigned and have yet to report. I have had some personal problems, and lack of transportation to get anywhere. I know that it is not a valid excuse because I should have informed my command, but what kind of punishment am I looking at?  What should I do?  

Answer
Hi Will,

I'm afraid that it's completely up to your commanding officer. Punishment can range anywhere from Article 15 (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/a/article15.htm), involuntary discharge with an "Other Than Honorable" characterization (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/l/aadischarge1.htm), or even Court-Martial (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/l/aacmartial1.htm).

I should mention here that court-martials for Reserve members who fail to attend drill are extremely rare (if you had received deployment orders and refused/failed to deploy, that would be another matter).

The most likely result is probably going to be an administrative discharge, with a service characterization of "Other than Honorable."

If you can convince your commander that you would like to stay in the Reserves, and -- assuming the commanding officer is willing to keep you -- you might get away with an Article 15 (reduction in rank, fine, etc.).

What should you do? You need to contact your command. The longer you are in "AWOL status," the worst it will be.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com