Desertion Rates Plummet

From the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks through Sept. 2005, Army annual desertion rates have tumbled by almost half, from 3,949 to 2,011. Desertion rates for the Army, Navy and Air Force combined have plunged even further, from 7,978 to 3,456, a drop of almost 57 percent. Marine desertions went down 9 percent, from 1,603 to 1,455. The desertion rate in 2005 represented 0.24 percent of the total force. In comparison, during the Vietnam War (when there was a draft) Army desertions in 1971 were 3.4 percent. Most deserters return of their own accord within months, said an official, and most of the others are apprehended during traffic stops.