Question about treatment of AWOL GIs?

UCMJ and the commander will handle the problem; it is not up to the sergeant to administer any kind of action. However, I suspect if he is not a constant problem child, he will deploy with less rank and maybe have to clean the latrine for 45 days. If he has shown a pattern of trouble, he could face prison time and a dishonorable discharge. Most of the time, troops are not sentenced to do hard time for being awol. A trial plus the time for the defense to get squared away cost too much time and money. It is easier for the commander and troop to utilize non-judicial punishment.