AWOL Update

November 3, 2025

On 28 October 2025, the Army published an AWOL update (Army Directive 2025-20), detailing new procedures to follow.

The AWOL update did not change the definition of AWOL, which is defined under Article 86 of the UCMJ. A Soldier is guilty of being AWOL if he/she:

fails to go to his appointed place of duty at the time prescribed
goes from that place; or
absents himself or remains absent from his unit, organization, or place of duty at which he is required to be at the time prescribed

The AWOL update published by the Army did, however, define Command requirements when a Soldier fails to report for duty. Within 3 hours of a Soldier being absent from duty, Commanders are now required to change the duty status of any Soldier to "absent-unknown." This is a temporary duty status and can only be applied for 48 hours. During this time period, unit leaders and Army law enforcement officials will make every effort to locate the Soldier. According to the new AWOL update, unit Commanders will also notify next of kin within 8 hours of a Soldier being absent.

Furthermore, within three hours of notification that a Soldier is listed as "absent-unknown," the Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) will:

create a blotter entry;
submit a law enforcement report (LER) and a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) into the Army Law Enforcement Reporting and Tracking System (ALERTS);
enter all relevant information into the missing persons file of the national crime information center (NCIC) database; and,
request an attempt to locate (ALT) from local civilian law enforcement agencies

According to the new AWOL update, if a Soldier cannot be located within 48 hours, commanders will make a determination as to whether the Soldier's absence is voluntary or involuntary. If the Commander determines, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the Soldier's absence is voluntary, the duty status will be updated to absent without leave (AWOL) - of note, if a Commander makes this determination sooner, he/she does not have to wait 48-hours. If there is credible information to determine the absence is involuntary, or there is insufficient evidence to conclude the absence is voluntary, Soldiers will be reported as "missing."

The new Army AWOL update now mandates that within 24 hours after the Soldier is determined to be AWOL, Commanders must submit to their local DES a DA Form 4187 annotating the duty status change from "absent-unknown" to "AWOL." Furthermore, if, at any time, a preponderance of the evidence suggests that the Soldier committed Desertion (basically meaning that the Soldier never intends to return), Commanders will submit their to their local DES a DD Form 553.

The Army AWOL update makes no other substantive changes. Contrary to popular belief, after a Soldier is listed as AWOL/Deserter, no real efforts are conducted to find the Soldier in question. Instead, the Army relies upon law enforcement agencies to encounter these individuals and return them to the Army. The most common example is a Soldier who is AWOL gets pulled over by a cop for a traffic violation. In these scenarios, it is common for the Police Officer to run the individual through their databases and discover the AWOL status. When this occurs, the Soldier in question is placed under arrest and returned to Army custody.

Any Soldier who is AWOL, no matter the time period, risks severe consequences once he/she returns. If a Soldier has been gone for a lengthy period of time, or he/she left to avoid hazardous duty, a Court-Martial may be pursued. In accordance with Article 86 of the UCMJ, if found Guilty, Soldiers can be sent to jail for years and receive a Dishonorable Discharge. Furthermore, Soldiers can face separation (enlisted) or elimination (officers) with a less than honorable discharge. Soldiers can also receive punishment at an Article 15 or a GOMOR.

The 2025 Army AWOL update does not change the AWOL standard in any meaningful way; however, it does define steps required to be taken by Commanders and DES. Any Soldier who is AWOL, or is facing adverse action for being AWOL, should immediately consult with a Military Lawyer. While TDS is available to assist, they are often over-worked and inexperienced. Furthermore, they are unlikely to engage with Soldiers who are currently listed as AWOL. Civilian Lawyers can be retained in these situations, which allows a Soldier to be represented by a proven lawyer with good former client reviews.

This Article was written by Attorney Matthew Barry. Attorney Barry is highly rated by former clients and has a proven track record of success. He has dealt extensively with Soldiers accused of being AWOL/Desertion.

The Law Office of Matthew Barry represents Servicemembers worldwide. He has offices on the East Coast, West Coast, and in the Central U.S.