4,698 U.S. Army soldiers have deserted

clipped from blogs.usatoday.com Army desertions skyrocket This year, 4,698 U.S. Army soldiers have deserted, an increase of 42% from last year and 80% since the 2003 Iraq invasion, the Pentagon says. Soldiers who are absent without leave for more than 30 days are declared to be deserters and discharged. The Army Times and the Associated Press have filed the most detailed stories so far. The Army Times calls the 2007 desertions "the highest annual total since fiscal year 2001, when 4,399 troops deserted." Regardless, for those among the AWOL looking for a safe haven, scratch Canada off the list. Yesterday, that country's Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from two deserters seeking asylum. They now face deportation.