I was just watching 60 minutes II and they were interviewing soldiers who have deserted since the start of the war in Iraq. 60 minutes II reported that pentagon sources have told them that 5,500 soldiers have deserted since the war began. Many of them went to Canada (they were interviewing some Marines in Toronto) others have gone to other locations. To me, 5,500 deserters seems like an awfully high number. In order for us to keep a force of 138,000 troops in Iraq does that mean we need to assume nearly a 5% rate for desertion? Anyone know how this compares to the #'s from Vietnam and whether this rate is comparable to previous conflicts?