The term MIL. TRUANT is an acronym for Military Truant, which is a person who is absent from their military duties without permission or authorization. AWOL (4 letters) is an acronym for Absent Without Leave, which is another term for Military Truant. In other words, MIL. TRUANT and AWOL are interchangeable terms that refer to someone who is absent from their military duties without permission or authorization.