My neices boyfriend 18 y/o, just graduated high school, signed up for Army. Went thru MEPS and signed paper. Talked to other recruits and soldiers, found out he was most likely going to Iraq, although his Recruiter told him he wouldnt. My neice is pregnant, he does not want to leave. He did not get on plane for boot camp. Army states he will go to jail and there is a warrant for his arrest. What is his recourse, if any???
Optional Information: Plano, Texas
The answer depends on what he ultimately wants. If he is adamant about backing out of his commitment, then a brief period of AWOL (less than 30 days) will likley mean he will be administratively separated with an uncharacterized (entry level) separation. They DO often enter these into a reporting system by which local law enforcement would know upon a traffic stop that he is AWOL from the military. But, based on the fact that he hasn't even reported for initial training, it is unlikley the service will pursue a conviction or want jail time. Most of these situations result in administrative separations so long as the Service Member is not absent for a lengthy period (like more than a couple of months) AND he turns himself into military authorities to terminate the absence. In other words, he doesn't want to wait on that traffic cop to pull him over.
Experience: Over 21 years of military service; 14 years in the military law field.