What typically signifies the end of a deserter’s lost time calculation?

The end of a deserter’s lost time calculation is typically marked by apprehension due to a unauthorized absence (UA) warrant. This is because the military institutions consider a deserter's status as unresolved until they are apprehended. Once the individual has been apprehended due to a UA warrant, the calculated lost time, which corresponds to the period during which the service member was absent without permission, effectively comes to an end. The apprehension process formally recognizes the deserter's return to military authority, thus leading to a clearer understanding of their service status.

In contrast, other options like the issuance of a discharge order or returning to duty status do not necessarily coincide with the resolution of lost time calculation. A discharge order may relate to an individual leaving the service, and returning to duty status can occur without resolving past issues of absence, meaning lost time could still persist. Meanwhile, completion of the legal process would imply a resolution but is not specifically tied to the actual calculation of lost time for deserters, which is predominantly focused on their return to military custody.