S.C. Code Ann. § 25-1-2920

(1) Any member of the military forces is guilty of desertion who: (A) without authority, goes or remains absent from his unit, organization, or place of duty with intent to remain away permanently; (B) quits his unit, organization, or place of duty with intent to avoid hazardous duty or to shirk important service; (C) without being regularly separated from one of the armed forces of the United States, enlists or accepts an appointment in the military forces, without fully disclosing the fact that he has not been regularly separated. (2) Any commissioned officer of the military forces who, after tender of his resignation and before notice of its acceptance, quits his post or proper duties without leave and with intent to remain away permanently is guilty of desertion. (3) Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert may be punished as a court-martial may direct.