That sort of thing goes on your record though. You don’t simply leave the service without the government knowing. They will literally put a warrant out for your arrest
I think statute of limitations on most of the common ucmj articles maxes out at 5 years? It’s been a while, but short version is a cousin of a friend went awol and basically hid on a shrimping boat for years until they couldn’t come after him anymore. Not easy for sure.
Defected? Like went to a different country?
I’m assuming they meant AWOL (absent without leave).
That sort of thing goes on your record though. You don’t simply leave the service without the government knowing. They will literally put a warrant out for your arrest
I think statute of limitations on most of the common ucmj articles maxes out at 5 years? It’s been a while, but short version is a cousin of a friend went awol and basically hid on a shrimping boat for years until they couldn’t come after him anymore. Not easy for sure.