[Covertness]

Agreed. Why in the hell would we allow a "soldier" to go on leave when he has desertion charges pending. HELLO!
Family says they don't know where he is? Yeah, I buy that. Ought to lock them up for aiding and abeiting if you ask me.
Catch this puke and put him in front of a firing squad. I'll volunteer my services and promise to bring my own weapon and ammo. I'll also promise to give him a nice gut shot. He'll die nicely with a ruptured stomach, liver, kidney, etc.