I went AWOL in 2005 or 2006 before my unit had orders to deploy to Iraq. The reason I left: I had a documented(with army and civilian doctors) back injury from a 3-car accident.
One seargent had assigned another solider to help pick up my duffle bag filled with my equipment(really, really heavy). Another told the soldier to leave my bags alone ordered me to carry them around. Even though I informed him about my injury.
I was forced to lift all my equipment with a injured back. The pain was so severe, and obviously I would have to endure this pain every drill, I thought I had no choice but, to go AWOL.
I did call through out the years and even came back to the unit, but they would not tell me if I was dis-charged, give me dd214's, or any information at all on my status.
I would be willing to re-enlist, if they would acknowledge my injury.