Article 86 of the UCMJ is known as what?

• A. Absent Without Leave
• B. Drunk on Duty
• C. Missing Movement
• D. Contempt Toward Officials

Answer: (A)

Article 86 defines the offense of absence without leave, meaning being absent from a required place or duty without permission. This is commonly known as AWOL. It covers situations where a service member fails to report for duty, fails to return from leave, or otherwise leaves without authorization. Desertion is a separate, more serious offense that applies when the absence is intentional and lasts long enough to indicate a permanent intent to remain away. The other options describe different offenses handled by other articles (for example, missing movement, contempt toward officials, and drunkenness on duty), so they aren’t the correct term for Article 86.