The Independent screwed up and included some truth

The headline of this article, The deserters: Awol crisis hits the US forces, would lead one to think this is a result of recent military action. However, they included a sentence which belies that premise.

The most recent Pentagon figures suggest there are 5,133 troops missing from duty. Of these 2,376 are sought by the Army, 1,410 by the Navy, 1,297 by the Marines and 50 by the Air Force. Some have been missing for decades.

That last sentence tells the actual story. Some people are not cut out for military service and too weak to live up to their commitment. That happens during war time and peace time alike. Recruiters do their best to screen out misfits and criminals. However, a recruiter only gets a short amount of time to evaluate an applicant and some get in who clearly shouldn't. There have been deserters as long as we have had a military. Though the leftist media would lead you to believe it is a recent development.