Desertion is the military crime of running away from a military unit, organization, or place of duty with the intention of staying away permanently. Leaving the armed forces for only a short time to avoid hazardous duty or important work is also desertion. During wartime, deserters may be punished by death. Someone who runs away from military service but intends to return is not a deserter. That person is guilty of the military crime of being absent without leave (AWOL).
Desertion occurs in civil law when a married person intentionally leaves his or her spouse, and stays away for a certain length of time without consent or adequate reason. In many states in the United States, desertion is a ground for divorce. A person who forces the spouse to run away by making their home unsafe or unbearable may also be treated as a deserter.
