Army statistics released this week show the number of desertions rose in the four years before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America prompted the Bush administration's war on terrorism. Desertions then fell for three years but they have been rising steadily again in the last three years as the increasingly unpopular campaign in Iraq has worn on.

"We prosecute for desertion much more heavily in a time of war than in a time of peace," said Paul Boyce, another Army spokesman.

Today, a conviction of desertion may result in a court-martial, discharge, retain and rehabilitate, as well as apply a wide range of administrative punishments such as counseling, a reprimand, forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank and involuntary discharge. Desertion during World War One had a maximum sentence of death, as did numerous other offenses such as cowardice, sleeping at your post and striking a superior officer. Have we progressed or regressed?

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