[Free Trapper]

I doubt that was written policy but probably effective in most situations.

Might have been each Commander's choice as to how to handle 'em.

[Jet Jaguar]

Roger that.

[leadpenny]

When someone goes AWOL and is apprehended, they are returned to their unit of assignment. When they are declared a Deserter (usually after 30 days AWOL), they, in effect, become a fugitive. If apprehended by law enforcement or military authorities in a Deserter status, they are turned over to the nearest Military Confinement Facility.