In military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a "duty" or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning. "Absence Without Leave" (AWOL) can refer to either desertion or a temporary absence.
Read more about Desertion: Absence Without Leave, U.S. War of 1812, Mexican–American War, 1846-48, American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Soviet Desertion in The Afghan Civil War, Vietnam War, Legal Status of Desertion in Cases of War Crime
Famous quotes containing the word desertion:
“Bachelors alone can travel freely, and without any twinges of their consciences touching desertion of the fire-side.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)