Legal Question in Military Law in Virginia

Re: Officer AWAL punishment

Not under the law, but often in reality it works that way that an officer will receive harsher punishment. Whether a discharge is awarded depends on a number of factors: how long AWOL, reasons for the absence, what billet or position was held, etc. This would likely be handled at Article 15 where a discharge could NOT be awarded although a separation board could be convened. Or if the circumstances were severe enough it could be sent to a court-martial. There is no way I can predict what may happen at this point.

Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.