Absent without leave is an official military term used to describe individuals who fail to report to duty or are missing during their assigned time frame. There are several synonyms for this term, including desertion, absenteeism, truancy, nonattendance, and unauthorized absence. Desertion refers to the act of leaving without permission, whereas absenteeism, truancy, and nonattendance refer to a person's regular absence from school or work. The term unauthorized absence is a more generic term and can refer to any situation where someone fails to report when required. Regardless of the term used, being absent without leave is a serious offense that can result in disciplinary action, including court-martial and discharge from the military.