The Deserter Information Point (DIP) mission is to investigate and cause the apprehension of military personnel administratively declared as deserter status, effecting their return back to their command or military jurisdiction.

Our Deserter Information Point is operational 24 hours a day.

SNCOIC - SSgt Michael J. Urbanski
Phone: 703-604-0395
Email: michael.urbanski@usmc.mil

How do I turn myself in if I am a deserter or provide information on a deserter?
Contact our office at 1-703-604-3667 or 0395. We will assist you or the member with returning to military custody.

What does a command do if a Deserter surrenders or is apprehended within their jurisdiction?
Contact this office at 703-604-3667/0395 and the completion of DD Form 616 is required.  Use LEGADMINMAN Chapter 5 as a reference.

What is the procedure once a member is declared a deserter?
Once the Marine Corps Total Force System has been updated to Duty Status 'S', and a DD FORM 553 (Deserter/Absentee Wanted by the Armed Forces Form) is received (IAW LEGADMINMAN Chapter 5) at the Deserter Information Point, the member is entered into the National Crime Information Center database.  A federal warrant is issued for his/her arrest and will remain active until the deserter is arrested, returns to military control, or a confirmation of death is obtained.

What is the time frame that a person must be UA before being declared a deserter?
IAW LEGADMINMAN Chapter 5, a person may be declared a deserter if:

1) the facts and circumstances of the Marines absence, without regard to the length, indicate the member committed the offense of desertion, as defined in Article 85 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ); or

2) if the Marine has been absent without authority for 30 consecutive days; or

3) immediately, if member is absent without authority, without regard to length of absence, and has gone to, or shown intention of going to any foreign country, or remains in any foreign country and requests or accepts any type of asylum or residence from that country or its governmental agencies.

When will the warrant for an arrest be lifted?
The federal warrant for a deserter will remain active until they are either arrested, returned to military control, or a death confirmation is established.

Where can I find information if a service member is an active deserter?
You can contact our office at 1-703-604-0395/3667 or email at PSLCorrectionsHQMC@usmc.mil to inquire if a person is on the active Marine Corps desertion list.

Where can I find the closest place to turn myself in?
Contact our office at 1-703-604-3667/0395 and we will assist you in returning to military control.

Who is responsible for declaring a deserter?
The parent command is responsible for declaring a deserter unless the member is in PCS status and then the gaining command must declare the member a deserter based on the failure to report.

When does the investigation close?
We will stop investigating when the warrant for desertion is cleared.  If you believe you are already discharged from the Marine Corps, a certified copy of your DD-214 will need to be mailed to the Deserter Information Point.