Wiki
The maximum U.S. penalty for desertion in wartime remains death, although this punishment was last applied to Eddie Slovik in 1945. No U.S. serviceman has received more than 24 months imprisonment for desertion or missing movement in the post-September 11, 2001 era
Well, there goes that $200,000 in back pay.
I don’t believe there has been a case of desertion from a combat zone in that period, this will be the first. That will be a major factor in his sentencing. My fear is that the court will try to appease Obama, and credit the traitor for the years he was being held by the Taliban.