Continuity mistake: The hull number shown for the USS Seahawk shown in this episode was "74" (in real life, the USS John C. Stennis), however, JAG has always used that hull number to refer to the show's 'other carrier', the USS Patrick Henry.
Factual error: Lt. Singer is wearing the wrong epaulets (shoulder boards). She is wearing the epaulets with a star on it instead of the legal emblem.
Continuity mistake: When Harm is ejected from the jeep after the mine explosion, his hat is on his head after he lands, but in the next scene, it shows his hat situated on the ground between the jeep & him.
Answer: Officially, the individual has been ordered to attend, failing to could be interpreted as either, Failure to follow orders, dereliction of duty, going AWOL, or even desertion. It would depend on the underlying reason as to why the person doesn't appear.