Reply #18: ok, here's the word from the ACLU (part 1 - Desertion)

[northernsoul]

in their 'The Rights of Servicemen' handbook

First of all, there's a difference between being AWOL and Deserting - the difference being mostly one of intent. Someone who goes AWOL doesn't necessarily intend to completely abandon his duties, desertion means you're blowing this popsicle stand once and for all. You can be administratively classified a deserter after being AWOL for 29 days. The following actions are considered to be legal evidence of desertion:
1) AWOL for over a year
2) attempting to throw away uniform or other military property
3) purchasing a ticket for a destination far away from your service post
4) if you stay near your service post, but don't turn yourself in (they have it both ways :-( )
5) voicing dissatisfaction with the military (isn't this just about anyone whose ever served?)
6) expressing a desire to desert (this can be especially damaging - don't ever actually say you intend to desert)
7) theft of money or civilian clothes to assist in getaway
8) visiting or trying to immigrate to another country
9) use of aliases or other attempts to conceal identity

next, defenses to Intent to Desert