Part 6/8:
Unlike some, Serge surrendered peacefully, stating, “I’m not a robber, not a murderer. I’ll go and fight again, but I have no regrets. I lived a little.” A judge granted him permission to rejoin the military, signaling a societal acknowledgment that the human experience of war encompasses more than mere duty; it involves emotional realities that can lead to difficult decisions.
The Stigmatization of Desertion
Despite the increasing number of desertions, senior military officials remain cautious about the issue, emphasizing its negative implications on unit morale and cohesion. A senior officer echoed the importance of every soldier's contribution: “whatever task is assigned to a unit, we have to carry it out no matter if a member deserts.”