The expansion of AWOL is Absence without Official Leave. This term was used originally in the military when a soldier has left the unit without prior permission. Now it is also used by civilians for bunking. To a military person AWOL results in the end of his military career. They are included in the list of deserters after 30 days. If the soldier returns after 30 days then too he will be considered as an AWOL and will be tried for desertion in courts. The punishment is a prison spell. Late in the 18^th century they were actually branded with tattoos. The person who has gone AWOL is deprived of all his benefits in the military and will get a dishonorable discharge. So AWOL is considered as a serious crime in military and army. It is a violation of the article 86 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. 

Now-a-days people use the word AWOL when you do not know where the person has gone. For example Mary has gone AWOL. This What Does Awol Mean we have no idea where Mary is. So in slang AWOL means not present when needed or inexplicably absent. It is also used as an abbreviation for Absent While On Line now-a-days in the modern internet era.

Now here we more explain about What Does Awol Mean. AWOL was a serious crime those days. They were searched by the police and tried in the courts. But today when a person goes on AWOL, the police will not look for him or her. But if the person happens to be pulled over, then he or she will be taken in to custody and will be notified to the army. So he has to keep on hiding form the government through out his life.

 If a person truly wants to be out of the military or army then he should say that instead of going AWOL. Though he will be given a tough time he will be classified as failure to adapt and listed under general discharge. This is the best alternative because while applying for a job the company asks for military experience and asks what type of discharge you have. So it is the best for your own sake that you do not go AWOL.

It is clear that AWOL will ruin the person's future for his whole life time. So abiding by the military laws is good for a person's future. Though not as severe as the olden days it is still a serious offense. In war time it is more serious offense.