Military Desertion Penalty
If the individual deserted but then voluntarily returned under military control:
Dishonorable discharge
Loss of all allowances and payments and reduction to the lowest enlisted grade
Three years in confinement
If the individual deserted and was later terminated with apprehension:
Dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all wages and allowances
Reduction of the lowest enlisted grade
Confinement for 3 years
If the individual deserted with the intention to avoid dangerous duty or to avoid important service:
The punishment is dishonorable discharge
Forfeiture of all pay or allowances
Reduction to the lowest enlisted grade
Confinement for five years
If the individual deserts in the time of war, the member could be sentenced to death or a different penalty (such as life imprisonment) that a court-martial might decide.