[The Chief]

My two cents:

My son joined the Navy. After his "A" School, he was assigned to an aircraft carrier, and discovered the ship was deploying to a war zone (Persian Gulf). He magically appeared back home, stating he had been placed on medical hold pending resolution of a bad back. As a retired sailor, I was naturally skeptical, especially as he went out and found a job (such as it was) and kept moving around. I contacted the legal department on the ship, and was informed that he was listed as a deserter. I asked if they would like him back, and gave them his up-to-date address. He was picked up that afternoon and remanded to Navy custody. After being released into TPU, he was assigned to another carrier, only to desert again. This time I didn't listen to a word he said, but called the police and turned him in (again). They waited until he was just past his 30 day limit, then arrested him yet again. The Navy had had enough of him, and only restricted him long enough to process his paperwork; in the interim, he went UA (AWOL) yet again! His discharge was characterized as OTH (Other Than Honorable); I guess they were giving him more credit than I would have. He never did sign his DD-214; He always tells people who ask that he is in the process of getting his discharge "upgraded" (ain't gonna happen). I was extremely upset with his decision to desert; more for the fact that his shipmates were going to lose sleep and needed rest in a combat zone than in any sympathy for his perceived "plight." In my eyes, his problem stemmed more from a lack of intestinal fortitude than any real slight the Navy may have bestowed upon his sensibilities. I really think 10 years in the pokey would have done him some good - it would show him that yes, Virginia, there ARE consequences for refusing to live up to your commitments!