Thread: Son AWOL and now Arrested

Hope it's OK to post this here.

I got a call from my son last night. He's 20 and got arrested for drink driving. He has been AWOL from the army since last year. He always wanted to join the Army and it was a great day for us when he passed out and he seemed to get on well at first but then he went AWOL and wouldn't go back. I haven't seen him for a while but he has been living with his girlfriend.

Anyway, he told me that the police had called the Army and he would be going back this morning. He seemed a bit upset but told me not to worry or get involved and he'd let me know what's happening when he can.

I know he did wrong but I am worried about him. Has anybody on here been through something like this before? What is likely to happen to him when he's back with the Army? Will he get discharged or will he get locked up for this?

If the police have called the Army, there's a chance he'll be sent to military jail in Colchester, punished, then dishonourably discharged from the service afterwards.

I'm afraid I don't know much more but I'm sure others will be around to give you more details.

It's fine to post it in here - shame that it has to be the topic of your first post though Why on earth did he go AWOL ? (Just a rhetorical question)

From having a read of similar threads next door, it depends on the length he's been AWOL, total length of service, and if he has an understanding type as a CO his reasons for it.

Colchester is quite likely but depending on the above he may be discharged or ordered to soldier on. Of less importance now he's been caught and returned to the military but what does he want now, to stay or get out?

Either way best of luck to him and you.

In a way, is it a bit of a relief for you that he is no longer AWOL? Get this out of the way and you can all focus on his future rather than worrying (this must have been quite stressful for all of you).

me
xx

Thanks for the welcome here - shame I only found this site now - just wanted to see if there were any others out there who understand.

I don't know that much about the Army but I know you can't just walk off and it was always going to catch up with him. I don't really know why he went AWOL - he never told me exactly why - I know he was a bit worried about going to Afghanistan but was excited about it too. When he called I started saying to him I told you this was going to happen but stopped myself. He said the police were OK to him and he had food and they were bringing him out to have a smoke before he got some sleep - this was about 3am. The Army mightn't be as good to him.

But you are right about what you are saying about it being a relief. I remember when he was 15 and caught him smoking he said to me at least I don't have to hide it anymore so I suppose it's like that. I just wish he had gone back himself before getting caught - I'm sure that goes down better when they decide what to do with you.

He definitely doesn't want to be in the Army anymore I know that so I hope he can get discharged after whatever punishment they give him. I looked at the picture from his passing out when he looked young and really enthusiastic about his new life - it just didn't work out for him. Looking at that and reading on here about how everybody is supporting their partners and sons in the Army makes me annoyed with him but at the same time he is my son and I want him to be happy and have a good life even with the mistakes he made.

I worry about how he is going to get on in jail in Colchester if he gets that and how he is going to be but I know that's nothing compared to how people worry about their sons when they are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Thanks again for the support

Hiya,
Sorry to hear about your sons predicament. I can imagine the worry and torment you're going through, but like HP says, one way or another it will all be dealt with and over and done with...no more running and wondering.

We all have moments when we think 'shoulda, woulda, coulda' but life is too short for that so we deal with the here and now

He is your son and of course you will worry, and now you've found this site, hopefully you will have somewhere you feel you can come when you need a rant or to get things off of your chest.

You sound like a wonderful and supportive Mum, sending you hugs x

We have had a few instances of awol here. The soldiers who have been caught awol have been sent to Colchester or made to soldier on. It really does depend on the unit and the CO.

I do feel for you, it must be horrible.

Usually its colchester - and the usual punishment is he'll have to serve a day for every day he's been AWOL and then probably discharged. Unless his CO can put a good case forward as to why he shouldn't do that long at Colchester.

Look hun, the army just isn't for everyone. My lad did amazing at his basic, then hated his phase two and came out, then realised he hated that too and went in again to a different regiment, and mostly loves his job- apart from the fwitted officer types and army beaurocracy stuff that gets in the way of being allowed to shoot things.

Sorry we can't be more definate- but I will say if he doesn't want to stay they won't force him, but he probably will have to face courtmartial and do some sort of time in Coli.
My only experience of it is one of my daughters Ex's- he went AWOL and his at hers, he kept telling her he was on leave, then sick etc etc, but being a service brat, wife etc it was flipin obvious to us.
I felt for the lad though as he had a terrible time in Iraq, think he ended up staying in once they caught up with him.

AT least he doesn't have to hide now and spend every moment worrying about the knock on the door. You just have to do the mum thing and be there for him whatever happens.

Thanks for all the support back then. He's been in Colchester a few weeks now and it's hard thinking of him being there but if he stays out of trouble he should be home just after Christmas with a clean slate. I went to visit him and he looked in good shape and said it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be and that it was better there than the time he spent in the Guard Room.

Well, just tell him to focus on the future ....

me
x

Things will work out hun, at least you can see himand reassure yourself everything will be okay x

Thinking of you Worried45. It must be awful for you and your son. Like everyone else says though, at least now he can get on with his life with a clean slate. All the best for his future. mxx

Just came across this thread again. I remember how upset I was when I first posted on here. Lucky for me and for him things are alot better now. He did his time at Colchester and got discharged. I hated him being there but looking back it all worked out OK. Like people said at the time it was good he got arrested and didn't have to be looking over his shoulder or waiting for a knock at the door. He is back working in a pretty decent job and he and his girlfriend are expecting their first child just before Christmas. Nothing is as bad as it seems at the time and he told me that what he did at Colchester while serving his sentence helped him in getting the job he did. He is happy as I've seen him for a few years and even says he is glad he got arrested when he did and got things sorted out

I am pleased that things turned out the way they did for your son Worried45

I'm really glad things worked out for him, as others have said, the Army just isn't for everyone. My OH laughs when he sees the join up adverts as he says that they make it look amazing and like one big fun holiday camp when the reality is nothing like that. He loves it and has been in now for about 17 years and wouldn't want to do anything different but he also works with lads that absolutely hate it and can't wait to sign off.

Glad things worked out in the end, and sandramc is right, service life isn't for everyone, there is no shame in that. I think my lad hates the army more than he loves it sometimes. I haven't the fingers to count how many times he's been leaving. Since he tried that at phase two he hasn't actually ever done it again- yet.