Desertion is the act of abandoning or withdrawing support from someone or something to which you owe allegiance, responsibility or loyalty.

In a military unit, it is the act of leaving the unit without intention of returning.

In the United States, military personnel become AWOL (Absent WithOut Leave) when they are absent from their post without a valid pass or leave. Such people are dropped from their unit rolls after 30 days and listed as deserters.

However, as a matter of U.S. military law, desertion is not measured by time away from the unit, but rather:

• by going or remaining absent from their unit, organization, or place of duty with intent never to return;
• to avoid hazardous duty or shirk important responsibility;
• if they enlist or accept an appointment in the same or another branch of service without disclosing the fact that they have not been properly separated from current service; or
• if they enter a foreign armed force not as authorized by the United States.

People who are away for more than 30 days but return voluntarily or indicate a credible intent to return may still be considered AWOL, while those who are away for fewer than 30 days but can credibly be shown to have no intent to return (as by joining the armed forces of another country) may nevertheless be tried for desertion.

According to the Pentagon over 5,500 United States military personnel deserted in 2003–2004, following the Iraq invasion and occupation. [1] (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/06/60II/main659336.shtml)

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