[Poohbah]

"People go AWOL (absent without leave) all the time and they don't get court-martialed," says Collier, who has handled military clients off and on since the first Gulf War.

When it hits 30 days, it's "desertion," and they DO get court-martialed for that.

[LibWhacker]

Yep, that's the way it was when I was in the Army a zillion years ago. Can't imagine the Marines being more lenient.

[Movemout]

When it hits 30 days, it's "desertion," and they DO get court-martialed for that.

You're almost right. When a unit is under orders to deploy the thirty day requirement is no longer required. You are a deserter the day after you were ordered to report and failed to do so.

[ActionNewsBill]

When it hits 30 days, it's "desertion," and they DO get court-martialed for that.

You're right. I thought simple AWOL was usually anything less than 30 days, usually handled with non-judicial punishment (Article 15.) I got one for being 4 hours late to work at Westover AFB, MA in 72, I think it was.

I suppose that since this comes from SF Gate.com, we can assume that the writer may be leaving out some of the facts to portray this loser as a "victim".