Regardless of what country you are from or what side you are fighting on, being in the army is as honorable as you can get. Service your country so others can be safe in their little beds is a big deal. When I was back home, I couldnt go to the army because I was a single male child, but if I could, I probably would've. End of the day, most soldiers are just following orders...
The only reason I would respect for someone ditching the army is if you truly believed your nation is going into war for the wrong reasons and doing some messed up shit that you are against, then that's diff....but I doubt thats why he's ditching.