Third Infantry Division Sgt. Kevin Benderman was acquitted of desertion Thursday at Fort Stewart, Ga., but was convicted of the lesser charge of missing movement.

Benderman skipped his unit’s deployment to Iraq as he sought a discharge as a conscientious objector.

Benderman faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison on the lesser charge.

A judge is now considering his sentence.

During the sentencing phase of his court-martial, Benderman said he's "not against soldiers."

He said he wants "everyone to be home and safe and raising their families."

His attorney had suggested earlier that Benderman thought he'd been excused from deploying, but a military prosecutor says Benderman just wanted to avoid a dangerous mission.

Benderman failed to join his 3rd ID unit as it deployed on January, ten days after he told his commanders at Fort Stewart he was seeking a conscientious objector discharge.

The 3rd ID took over responsibility for operations in and around Baghdad in February from Fort Hood’s 1st Cavalry Division.

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