The Correlates of AWOL: 30 Years of Research into the Problem of AWOL in the U. S. Army

A literature search was conducted on research about AWOL in the Army from 1941 to 1975. Sources were official military and government documents and data, military-sponsored research, and civilian psychological and sociological research. The reports and data sources, published and unpublished, were identified their findings were summarized in roughly chronological order. Theoretical research on correlates of AWOL parallels criminological theory in each period considered, but has not produced workable solutions to the AWOL problem. Soldiers personal characteristics and preservice background can be correlated to some extent with AWOL behavior, but not consistently enough that potential delinquents can be identified accurately. AWOL behavior does appear to be a function of the individuals response to a given situation--not of the military situation itself--and is likely to be repeated in spite of punishment. AWOL soldiers did not differ greatly over the period studied.