AWOL

A.W.O.L. stands for Absent Without Leave although some odd people reckon it means 'Absent Without Official Leave.' What these buffoons don't realise is that all leave is official in the Army, and therefore if one was to choose to 'absent themselves' (also known as 'doing a bunk' and 'sodding off') without leave, they are in fact committing a service offence, punishable by a stretch in the local nick or possibly even MCTC if the absence has been truly legendary.

Sensible advice

Speak with your CofC and get yourself straight back to your camp. Speak with your 2ic/CSM let them know that you're turning up back in camp and you're doing it voluntarily rather than being picked up by MPs/police and as this may help to mitigate your punishment. The sooner you do this the better as you can sort your life out and your family and you aren't constantly looking over your shoulders.

Regarding punishment no point speculating though as it will be an individual case but if you get this sorted sooner and do it off your own bat then who knows, you may find you still have a career.

At the end of the day: only one person who can put an end to your worrying and that's you. You decided to go absent, you decide to go back.

Best of luck.

SSAFA AWOL support line

Service Personnel who are absent without leave (AWOL) can now speak in complete confidence to the SSAFA AWOL Support Line Worker

Tel: 01380 738137 9.00 - 10.00am Monday to Friday

(answering machine for call back outside these times).

Link

Thanks to The_IRON, EScotia and magnet

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