Legal Definitions - AWOL

AWOL stands for Absent Without Leave.

This term describes a situation where an individual, particularly within a military, law enforcement, or other uniformed service, is missing from their assigned post, duty, or required location without having obtained official permission or provided prior notification. It signifies an unauthorized absence from one's responsibilities.

• Example 1: Military Context

  A soldier is scheduled to report for morning formation at 0600 hours. When the formation is called, the soldier is not present, and their commanding officer has no record of them requesting leave or being granted any form of authorized absence. Efforts to contact the soldier are unsuccessful.

  This illustrates AWOL because the soldier is absent from a mandatory military duty without official permission or prior notification, which is a serious breach of military regulations.

• Example 2: Law Enforcement Context

  A police officer is assigned to a specific patrol sector for the overnight shift, beginning at 2200 hours. The officer fails to report for duty at the precinct, does not respond to calls, and has not contacted the watch commander to explain their absence.

  This demonstrates AWOL as the officer, a member of a uniformed service, is absent from a scheduled and mandatory work assignment without authorization or prior communication, impacting public safety operations.

• Example 3: Emergency Services Context

  A paramedic with a municipal emergency medical service is rostered for a critical training exercise that is compulsory for all personnel to maintain their certification. On the day of the exercise, the paramedic does not attend, and there is no record of them submitting a leave request or providing an explanation for their absence.

  This fits the definition of AWOL because the paramedic, as part of a uniformed emergency service, is absent from a compulsory professional obligation without official permission or prior notice, potentially affecting their ability to perform their duties.