Posted on Feb 12, 2018
What happens if a soldier avoids a deployment by fleeing to Mexico?
32.4K
296
131
40
40
0
Okay I am not talking about me by the way. But I was intrigued by the question and I can’t seem to find an answer anywhere. I’d like to know if the mexican government would support the return of the soldier for court martial, how he could be apprehended or if he could even make it to the border anyway. Suppose he is CONUS by the way.
Desertion
Deployment
UCMJ
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 76
35
35
0
Soldier MIGHT want to consider that he many stick out like a sore thumb. Easy target by cartel members to kidnap and use the soldier to bribe his family... and that usually doesn't end well.
Many soldiers never even get the chance to serve their countries overseas.
Probably shouldn't have signed the contract.
In my opinion, good.
I would rather have a good soldier by my side than one I couldn't count on.
One less sh*tbag means more funding and military education for good soldiers like myself!
Many soldiers never even get the chance to serve their countries overseas.
Probably shouldn't have signed the contract.
In my opinion, good.
I would rather have a good soldier by my side than one I couldn't count on.
One less sh*tbag means more funding and military education for good soldiers like myself!
(35)
(0)
LCpl Carlos Polanco
Umm... why would you assume that "his friend" would stick out like a soar thumb? Just like the in the US there are people of al sizes and colors. Not sure where you got the idea but please get that out of your mind. Also if he's hiding how in the world would the cartels know he's military and to the extent why would a cartel randomly select him. Please think about the things you say before posting them, Mexico is not as bad as you portray it. Although every place has its bad seeds.
(0)
(0)
31
31
0
Don't forget, on top of the Desertion/AWOL piece, your "friend" would also get missing movement charges as well. In situations like this, the charges would stack up against you, oops, I mean your friend in hopes that a majority of them will stick and you could be splitting rocks at Leavenworth in no time.
(31)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
Didn't happen to Bergdahl, but then he didn't run to Mexico, he ran to the taliban. I suppose there is some difference there, and not my place to place judgement. But, yeah, you could run to Mexico, and then 5 years later come back, get back pay, advance in rank, a book deal, a movie deal, get caught in a drug raid because you just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and DEA just look the other way. It could happen.. it happened for Bergdahl.
(2)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - I didn't know they allowed jailbirds to take any government position especially a traitor. It used to not be an option.
(1)
(0)
CPL Peter King
I’m curious in the US what is the difference between AWOL and desertion?
With the British desertion happens during a state of war- like Desert Storm.
With the British desertion happens during a state of war- like Desert Storm.
(0)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
What wall? You mean that little picket fence they have with the dug-out hole at the bottom? He could get back into the U. S. easily like all the illegals have been doing for years. Whatever happened to firing squads for deserters during war time? I guess it isn't politically correct with our passive government.
(0)
(0)
15
15
0
Desertion, shirking and or evading important duty. Once he hits thirty days AWOL, he should be DFR. As soon as he is AWOL he has a warrant for his arrest, the desertion just piles on. See AR190-9 and DD553. The 553 is entered into NCIC for apprehension by civil authorities. It is unclear if the 553 becomes an Interpol Red Notice. If the Mexican authorities apprehend him, they are supposed to notify the consulate with In 30 days. This doesn't happen consistently or at all. If the call goes to the consulate, they will see the US warrant, but the Mexican legal issue will play out first. The consulate may make notification about the Mexican apprehension. My assumption is we would extradite.
If he tries to cross back over the border on his own, Border Police may catch it if they run him on his reentry.
My advice to your friend is to deploy and do their job and none of this shit will matter. Once you get apprehended, you are returned to military control at your old unit, then processed for any residual UCMJ/charges and the requisite discharge.
If he tries to cross back over the border on his own, Border Police may catch it if they run him on his reentry.
My advice to your friend is to deploy and do their job and none of this shit will matter. Once you get apprehended, you are returned to military control at your old unit, then processed for any residual UCMJ/charges and the requisite discharge.
(15)
(0)
SN Jay Perry
One other thing that people do not realize is that AWOL (especially missing movement) does NOT have a statute of limitations. During my active duty period I was detailed MP and spent time recovering guys who had turned themselves in (or been caught). One guy we got had gone over the hill from Constellation, to miss a cruise to Vietnam. Some 18 years later, his former CPO (and CPO's do take it personally when guys go over the hill on them) who retired in Portland, OR, was reading the insert in the local paper with candidates. He was stunned to see that Seaman Jones was running for City Council. The Chief called local authorities, and we got to escort Seaman Jones back to the brig in San Diego, after he detained by LEO's. If your buddy tries to come back from his 'vacation' to Mexico he can count on not having to look for accommodations!
(4)
(0)
PO2 Tom Calvert
I'm guessing that a couple days in a Mexican prison, and he'll be begging to talk to the consulate!
(2)
(0)
Bergman Oswell
PO2 Tom Calvert - And possibly a lot more than a few days. Illegally crossing into Mexico has a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison attached, and it's possible the Mexicans might not hand the guy back until he's finished his time in their system.
(1)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
Didn't happen to Bergdahl, but then he didn't run to Mexico, he ran to the taliban. I suppose there is some difference there, and not my place to place judgement. But, yeah, you could run to Mexico, and then 5 years later come back, get back pay, advance in rank, a book deal, a movie deal, get caught in a drug raid because you just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and DEA just look the other way. It could happen.. it happened for Bergdahl.
(1)
(0)
Suspended Profile
The full theme song from the TV series Branded.
I would counsel your friend to consult the next available mental health practitioner - then a chaplain, priest, imam, or rabbi. It is an ethical, moral, and legal crime to avoid deployment by running away. Mexico is certainly not anywhere near the top of the list of countries in which to seek sanctuary - the odds are he / she would stand out like a sore thumb - and be quickly deported to the United States. Why on God's Green Earth would anyone even toy with the idea of running away after the thorough documentation of military photographs, fingerprints, security clearance, and forensic DNA archival processes? Your friend would no doubt end up being permanently marked, profiled, exiled, and shamed for life. Who in their right mind would want any part of that - absent some seriously disturbed mental illness? Warmest Regards, Sandy :)
p.s. I am curious - what possible reason could he / she have for this intentional desertion???
https://youtu.be/_-Mnp6VAmEc
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel CPT Jack Durish CMDCM Gene Treants
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 Capt Jeff S. SGM (Join to see)
SCPO (Join to see) SFC William H. COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas LTC Stephen C.
Sgt (Join to see) SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
p.s. I am curious - what possible reason could he / she have for this intentional desertion???
https://youtu.be/_-Mnp6VAmEc
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel CPT Jack Durish CMDCM Gene Treants
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 Capt Jeff S. SGM (Join to see)
SCPO (Join to see) SFC William H. COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas LTC Stephen C.
Sgt (Join to see) SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
1LT Sandy Annala Given what I currently understand about the US’s actions - involvement in Vietnam - and the presidential pardons for those who did flee to Canada, I would have rather have put my brother on a bus to Vancouver, BC than on a Greyhound to Oakland Army Terminal for shipment to Vietnam.
Shortly after his demise, the Army started an in-Country acclimatization course for Soldiers arriving from USAEUR. Brother John was a trained E-4, 11H gunner with several years as an Infantry Soldier before re-upping for a tour in Nam. I was shocked.so many Soldiers from Europe were not surviving their first 30 days in Nam! AND I AM A BELIEVER!
Shortly after his demise, the Army started an in-Country acclimatization course for Soldiers arriving from USAEUR. Brother John was a trained E-4, 11H gunner with several years as an Infantry Soldier before re-upping for a tour in Nam. I was shocked.so many Soldiers from Europe were not surviving their first 30 days in Nam! AND I AM A BELIEVER!
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 - I completely understand. But, Vietnam felt like a very different environment - so much happened out of control - and out of command visibility. There are mortal risks even in today's operating environment - but we have better medical care - better armor - better weapons - better surveillance - better command and control - and far fewer men in enemy hands as prisoners of war. I would not minimize the risks of the current environment - but I firmly believe Vietnam was personally a far riskier place. I deeply respect your experience and motivation - but I would be hard pressed not to have lived up to my commitment in Vietnam - nor would I desert our troops today. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)
Suspended Profile
Sgt (Join to see) - I never followed the series - just remembered the song. It turns out the underlaying premise was somewhat more interesting story story than I thought. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branded_(TV_series)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branded_(TV_series)
Branded (TV series) - Wikipedia
Branded is an American Western series that aired on NBC from 1965 through 1966. It was sponsored by Procter & Gamble in its Sunday night, 8:30p.m. Eastern time period. The show starred Chuck Connors as Jason McCord, a United States Army cavalry captain who had been court-martialed and drummed out of the service following an unjust accusation of cowardice.
9
9
0
So does it go something like this: "I'm butthurt, and I don't wanna do this anymore! I'm going to Mexico and cry!"
Talk about a long-term solution to short-term problems.
If this is about a real person, and not hypothetical, tell him to quit being a punk. Suck it up. Its only a few short years out of his life, that HE signed up for and whose contract will eventually end. No matter how much Army life sucks--or he IMAGINES it sucks having probably never known real "suck" in life to compare Army life against--if he gets out on good terms, instead of having a profoundly bad decision follow him for the rest of his life, he'll not only be able to hold his head high, knowing he made it, but will have all the tangible benefits (VA) and intangible benefits (pride, respect, looks good on a resume) of having honorably served a stint in the military.
It's only a few years.
And yes, he'll get caught eventually; even in Mexico. He'll always have to live with worry over the potential ramifications, until those ramifications eventually catch up to him.
Talk about a long-term solution to short-term problems.
If this is about a real person, and not hypothetical, tell him to quit being a punk. Suck it up. Its only a few short years out of his life, that HE signed up for and whose contract will eventually end. No matter how much Army life sucks--or he IMAGINES it sucks having probably never known real "suck" in life to compare Army life against--if he gets out on good terms, instead of having a profoundly bad decision follow him for the rest of his life, he'll not only be able to hold his head high, knowing he made it, but will have all the tangible benefits (VA) and intangible benefits (pride, respect, looks good on a resume) of having honorably served a stint in the military.
It's only a few years.
And yes, he'll get caught eventually; even in Mexico. He'll always have to live with worry over the potential ramifications, until those ramifications eventually catch up to him.
(9)
(0)
SGT Tony Clifford
If this isn't hypothetical and not him, he needs to report this to his squadleader and teamleader immediately. Failure to do so could be serious for him.
(1)
(0)
9
9
0
Mexico has an extradition treaty... if he made it all the way down there, even in Mexico he would be considered a fugitive. Wouldn't be hard to get him back. Honestly, if you are asking for a friend who is thinking about this, I would caution him not to (and if he does, you no longer have any deniability).
(9)
(0)
TSgt David Holman
No problem. As others have mentioned in this thread, not to be a snitch but you may want to involve your leadership. This would be just as much for his protection as it would be CYA
(2)
(0)
Bergman Oswell
Given that Mexico can put someone in prison for up to 12 years for an illegal border crossing into their territory, the US might let things play out down there before asking for him back. After all, the treaty just means they have to hand him over if asked, not that there is a requirement TO ask.
(0)
(0)
7
7
0
It will be clearly a case of desertion. Question is how serious will the Army be in getting the person back. If the person is a dirt-bag that knows nothing important, then good riddance. But, if that person is a security risk, knows too much, about too much, then he will be tracked down and found without Mexican involvement. If he is not clumsy and falls down a flight of stairs a few times, then he will be returned to the USA to stand trial.
(7)
(0)
LTC Jason Mackay
LTJG Richard Bruce the days of the Army looking the other way have been over since 2005 or so. MPs come retrieve you. You go back to your unit that you fled from and face the music there. Usually a BCD and a chapter 13c unless there is something else lurking in your punch bowl.
(0)
(0)
6
6
0
Why the U.S. considers parts of Mexico just as dangerous to visit as Syria and Yemen
2017 was a historic year for violence in Mexico, with the most homicide investigations since the country began measuring them two decades ago.
(6)
(0)
SGT Dave Tracy
Oh hell yeah.
When I was stationed at Ft. Bliss, every Friday safety brief 1SG not only always reminded us not JUST to not to go to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico--most dangerous city in the western hemisphere at the time--but reiterated that should we ever find ourselves in a car on the road, driving those few short miles towards the boarder, we need to jump out the moving vehicle and, "tuck-n-roll guys. Tuck-n-roll!"
Tongue-in-cheek perhaps. Perhaps not.
We had one guy whose close relative (grandma perhaps, I forgot) died in Juarez, and in order for him to go to the funeral, it had to be run up to the brigade commander for approval. I believe he only had two days, and had to to remove any military affiliated items (ID, dog tags, Army t-shirts), be dropped off at the boarder by taxi, and call his chain-of-command every 2 hours day and night. I don't know its true or not, but it was claimed he had a henna or temporary "Mike Tyson" tattoo on his face to further fool people. Didn't see that, but it wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't some truth to it.
When I was stationed at Ft. Bliss, every Friday safety brief 1SG not only always reminded us not JUST to not to go to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico--most dangerous city in the western hemisphere at the time--but reiterated that should we ever find ourselves in a car on the road, driving those few short miles towards the boarder, we need to jump out the moving vehicle and, "tuck-n-roll guys. Tuck-n-roll!"
Tongue-in-cheek perhaps. Perhaps not.
We had one guy whose close relative (grandma perhaps, I forgot) died in Juarez, and in order for him to go to the funeral, it had to be run up to the brigade commander for approval. I believe he only had two days, and had to to remove any military affiliated items (ID, dog tags, Army t-shirts), be dropped off at the boarder by taxi, and call his chain-of-command every 2 hours day and night. I don't know its true or not, but it was claimed he had a henna or temporary "Mike Tyson" tattoo on his face to further fool people. Didn't see that, but it wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't some truth to it.
(1)
(0)
5
5
0
AWOL. Desertion. Missing movement. Maybe get robbed or beheaded by cartels. Easily apprehended, and Mexico indeed has an extradition treaty with the US. Your 'friend' wouldn't last 6 months, guaranteed. Tell him to man the fuck up and keep the word he gave to his country.
(5)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google