That Marine was not AWOL. First of all, AWOL is not a Marine Corps term. Secondly, that's an ignorant term to use for someone who was left behind due to incompetence at higher levels. AWOL, or UA in Marine Corpsese, has a negative connotation and implies he left his post without proper authorization. He was actually left behind because those above him did not ensure that all Marines were accounted for after they were done training. But to say he was AWOL is disrespectful and dishonors his honorable service.
I agree with you 100%. My point was that he was unaccounted for/absent. W/O official leave? You got me-he certainly didn’t GO awol but being unaccounted for is what’s serious.