Off base, in a way (4)
I believe the answer is:
awol
'off base in a way' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for awol that I've seen before include "Of soldier, illegally absent - initially" , "Truant (or just missing)" , "On the lam" , "Army offence of being missing from duty, briefly" , "gone missing" .)