Erika Lopez, middle, Tennessee’s first female to join the Army as a combat engineer, went AWOL and is now considered a deserter. (Credit: CBS 8)
Erika Lopez, who made Tennessee history by becoming the first female in the state to enlist in the Army as a combat engineer – meaning she could face front-line fighting – has been absent without leave for more than 30 days, and is now considered a deserter.
Lopez was in basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was supposed to return from leave by January 4. She didn’t, and a day later, she was considered AWOL.
But that AWOL status has just changed to “deserter,” CBS 8 reported.
“After 30 days in an AWOL status, a soldier is considered a deserter and a federal warrant is issued for his or her arrest,” said Army spokesperson Tiffany Wood, CBS 8 reported.
Wood said Lopez will be arrested and turned over to military police at the closest base.
“We are always concerned for the welfare of our soldiers,” Wood said. “Pvt. Erika Lopez’s unit has tried multiple times to determine her whereabouts and make contact with her. “However, all attempts have been unsuccessful. If anyone has any information on [her] whereabouts … please contact local authorities.”
In July 2015, when Lopez decided to enlist in the male-dominated Army field, she said to CBS 8: “It makes me feel really excited that no woman has ever done it before.”
She left home, along with her husband and two children, in September 2015 for basic training.
“You make sacrifices your whole life for your children and for your family, this will be a sacrifice,” she said back then. “Women can do anything they set their mind to just as well as men. I don’t really see any difference at all. I hope women will want to join.”
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