Legal Definitions - deserter

A deserter is a member of the armed forces who unlawfully leaves their military post or duty with the intent to permanently avoid their service obligations, or to avoid them for a significant period, such as the duration of a military operation or conflict. This act is considered a serious offense under military law.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a deserter:

• Example 1: Avoiding Combat Deployment
  During a period of international conflict, a soldier receives orders to deploy with their unit to a dangerous combat zone. Fearing for their life and unwilling to participate in the fighting, the soldier secretly leaves their military base the night before deployment and goes into hiding, cutting off all contact with their unit and family. This individual would be considered a deserter because they unlawfully abandoned their military post with the clear intent to avoid their combat duties and service obligations.

• Example 2: Abandoning Basic Training
  A young recruit, struggling with the rigorous demands of basic training, decides they no longer wish to be in the military. One evening, they pack a small bag and slip away from the training facility without authorization, never returning to complete their training or report for duty. This recruit is a deserter because they unlawfully departed from their assigned military service with the intention of permanently avoiding their commitment, even though they were not yet in an active combat role.

• Example 3: Fleeing During Peacetime Operations
  An officer assigned to a naval vessel during a routine peacetime patrol in international waters becomes disillusioned with military life. While the ship is docked in a foreign port for a brief period, the officer fails to report back to the vessel before its departure, instead choosing to remain in the foreign country and live as a civilian. This officer is a deserter because they unlawfully left their military post and failed to fulfill their ongoing service obligations with the intent to permanently abandon their duties.