Fun fact- AWOL is almost never prosecuted unless it causes a stir or you are dumb enough to return to your base/squad. You'd be amazed how many people sign the contract, get cold feet then never show up to basic or go through basic and vanish before reporting to their assigned unit and job. Once you sign that paper you're considered AWOL. They do issue a deserter warrant but due to the separation of military and civilian law enforcement, the cops don't receive it so as long as you stay off any bases you're fine. Background checks for jobs won't even find it.
Fun fact- AWOL is almost never prosecuted unless it causes a stir or you are dumb enough to return to your base/squad. You'd be amazed how many people sign the contract, get cold feet then never show up to basic or go through basic and vanish before reporting to their assigned unit and job. Once you sign that paper you're considered AWOL. They do issue a deserter warrant but due to the separation of military and civilian law enforcement, the cops don't receive it so as long as you stay off any bases you're fine. Background checks for jobs won't even find it.