Fort Bragg: Deserters On Increase, But Will Get Caught

[UpInArms]

http://www.nbc17.com/military/2665922/detail.html

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The number of soldiers illegally leaving their Fort Bragg- based companies has increased in the past couple of years, the Army says.

Between September 2002 and September 2003, Fort Bragg listed 235 total reports of absent without leave and desertion, up from 107 dating back to September 2001.

<snip>

"They should turn themselves in because eventually they'll be caught," Danielsen said. "That federal warrant remains valid for 40 years."

"That federal warrant" is issued the moment a soldier crosses the line between absent without leave and desertion. A soldier who does not show up for duty is classified as AWOL for 30 days. After that, he or she becomes an official deserter. During a time of war, the 30-day grace period disappears, she said.

At that point, the soldier is on the run. The federal warrant shows up when a police officer scans the person's record, or when a potential employer does a credit check, Danielsen said. And the pressure doesn't let up for the next four decades. If the soldier is caught, the nearest military authorities show up to cart him or her back to the parent unit.

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with the above rules in mind, would this not have made GWB a "deserter" and not just AWOL - as those rules are "suspended" during a time of war?

[JackSwift]

1. GWB is a deserter

but because he is from a rich family, those rules don't count. Nice to see we could still go after him though.

[Mikimouse]

2. Silly liberal, haven't you been paying attention?

Those kinds of rules dont' apply to white, ne'er do well, fratboy sons of wealthy, CIA directors, just as the draft issues clearly exempt those who are destined to be RW radio commentators. Where have you been? (sarcasm off). I fully agree with what you wrote, but am so frustrated with the media that I never expect this issue to grow legs. We're off to the Vietnam races once again. I hate this!

[truthspeaker]

3. the statute of limitations is 40 years?

That means they have almost 10 more years to prosecute Bush! Let's see some action, JAG!

[Love Bug]

4. They're only following the example of their great Commander in Chief!