Legal Question in Military Law in Virginia

Re: AWOL and no turning back

After 30 days, your unit drops you from its rolls and declares you a deserter. It also issues a "wanted by the Armed Forces" type of message to law enforcement agencies nationwide. Getting stopped for minor traffic violations will put you in handcuffs in the back of the squad car, in the local slammmer for a day or two until military authorities pick you up, then you'll be in the brig of their choice awaiting trial for desertion. They will track you down and they will prosecute you. Bottom line: The sooner you turn yourself in, the better the outcome. There is no future in living life on the run.