> they can't 'just quit.' that would be desertion
I don't understand. Anyone who is employed within US armed forces must stay at that same job their whole life, they can never quit? About desertion, I thought that desertion was something that can be referred to in wartime, and that congress has not declared war. Obviously I'm ignorant about these things, I do appreciate if someone can explain it.
@eliasr @saltywizard @peter Desertion would be abandonment of your post with intent, and can be punishable by death if it's during wartime (which apparently we're not at war, so I guess just 5 years in prison). Treason could be used if the absence was specifically done with the intent of aiding the country's enemies, although I don't think it's ever been successfully tried in this manner.
@eliasr @saltywizard @peter TLDR: you can't just quit the military without risking jail time or worse.
@eliasr @saltywizard @peter when you join the military, you sign a contract for a specified number of years. Part of that contract is swearing an oath to abide by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The UCMJ has definitions and outlines punishments for a broad array of crimes, including being absent without leave (AWOL), desertion, and treason. AWOL is relatively benign - there can be significant punishments, but you could be AWOL if you thought you were on leave but didn't submit the papers.