§ 635.26 - Procedures for reporting absence without leave (AWOL) and desertion offenses.

(a) AWOL reporting procedures. (1) The commander will notify the installation Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services in writing within 24 hours after a soldier has been reported AWOL.

(2) The Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services will initiate an information blotter entry.

(3) If the AWOL soldier surrenders to the parent unit or returns to military control at another installation, the provisions of AR 630–10 will be followed.

(4) On receipt of written notification of the AWOL soldier's return or upon apprehension, the Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services will initiate a reference blotter entry indicating the soldier's return to military control and will prepare an initial DA Form 3975, reflecting the total period of unauthorized absence, and the DA Form 4833. Both of these documents will be forwarded through the field grade commander to the unit commander.

(5) The unit commander will report action taken on the DA Form 4833 no later than the assigned suspense date or provide a written memorandum to the Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services explaining the delay.

(6) An original DD Form 460 (Provisional Pass) is issued to the soldier to facilitate their return to the parent unit. DD Form 460 will not be required if the Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services elects to return the soldier through a different means.

(7) If the soldier is apprehended at or returns to an installation other than his or her parent installation DA Form 3975 and 4833 with a copy of DD Form 460 will be sent to the parent installation Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services. The parent installation Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services will initiate an information blotter entry reflecting the AWOL soldiers return to military control. A DA Form 3975 and 4833 with an appropriate suspense will be sent through the field grade commander to the unit commander. On return of the completed DA Form 4833 from the unit commander, the original and one copy will be sent to the apprehending Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services. The parent installation Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services may retain a copy of DA Form 3975 and DA Form 4833.

(b) Desertion reporting procedures. (1) The unit commander must comply with the provisions of AR 630–10 when reporting a soldier as a deserter.

(2) On receipt of the DD Form 553 (Deserter/Absentee Wanted by the Armed Forces), the Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services will—

(i) Initiate a DA Form 3975 and a blotter entry reflecting the soldier's desertion status.

(ii) Complete portions of DD Form 553 concerning the soldier's driver's license and vehicle identification. In the remarks section, add other information known about the soldier such as confirmed or suspected drug abuse; history of violent acts; history of escapes; attempted escapes from custody; suicidal tendencies; suspicion of involvement in crimes of violence (for which a charge sheet has been prepared and forwarded); history of unauthorized absences; and any other information useful in the apprehension process or essential to protect the deserter or apprehending authorities.

(iii) An MPR number and a USACRC control number will be assigned to the case and be included in the remarks section of the DD Form 553.

(iv) The DD Form 553 must be returned to the unit commander within 24 hours.

(v) If the deserter surrenders to or is apprehended by the parent installation Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services, the Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services will telephonically verify the deserter's status with the U.S. Army Deserter Information Point (USADIP). A reference blotter entry will be completed changing the soldier's status from desertion to return to military control.

(vi) If the deserter surrenders to or is apprehended by an installation not the parent installation, the Provost Marshal/Director of Emergency Services will telephonically verify the deserter's status with USADIP. An information military police report will be prepared, utilizing the CRC number from the original military police report prepared by the parent installation. A blotter entry will also be prepared.

(vii) A DD Form 616 (Report of Return of Absentee) will be completed when deserters are apprehended or surrender to military authority. The USACRC control number assigned to the DD Form 553 will be included in the remarks section of the DD Form 616.

(viii) Upon return of the deserter to military control, DA Forms 3975, 2804 (Crime Records Data), fingerprint card and 4833 will be initiated. The MPR number and USACRC control number will be recorded on all four forms.

(ix) The original DA Form 3975 and other pertinent documents will be sent to the Director, USACRC. The DA Form 4833 must include the commander's action taken, to include the Commander, Personnel Control Facility, or other commander who takes action based on the desertion charge.