We recently discussed what it means to be Absent Without Leave (AWOL). This typically refers to a situation where a member of the armed forces fails to report for duty or leaves a station where they were ordered to remain. For instance, if someone is put on guard duty and leaves their post before that shift is up, they could qualify as being AWOL.
Desertion is similar, but there are some key differences. It’s important for members of the military to understand how this works, especially when facing serious charges. Allegations of being AWOL or deserting the military can have significant ramifications for the future.
Desertion is intended to be permanent
One of the big differences is simply what the service member intends. If it’s a short-term absence from a position, they may just be AWOL. But if they’re planning to leave the military entirely, without an honorable discharge, then it may be an example of desertion.
For instance, say that someone is ordered to go to a specific military base to perform their training for the next six months. They decide to leave for a few days for personal reasons, without first getting permission. That individual is now AWOL. They could still face serious charges, even though they will return to complete their training.
But if they decided that they wanted to quit being in the military entirely and simply left the base forever – perhaps returning to their home state – then they would be considered a deserter.
This does not mean that military members can never leave the military, whether on a short-term or long-term basis. But they simply need to know all of the proper steps to take to avoid these charges. Those who are already facing charges must understand what legal options they have.