Army charges Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl with desertion

[pwaldo]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...gon-probe.html

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, the enlisted U.S. soldier who left his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was later ransomed from an Islamist extremist network by the Obama administration for five Taliban leaders, was charged with desertion and 'misbehavior before the enemy' by the U.S. Army on Wednesday.

But he won't face the death penalty if a military court martial finds him guilty of 'Desertion with Intent to Shirk Important or Hazardous Duty.' The level of that charge the Pentagon levied on him carries a maximum of just a 5 year prison term.

The other charge, however, 'Misbehavior Before the Enemy by Endangering the Safety of a Command, Unit or Place,' could send him to a military prison for life.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice describes examples of that crime as running away from a fighting enemy, throwing down his weapons, abandoning his platoon or other fighting unit, or otherwise purposely failing 'to do his utmost to encounter, engage, capture, or destroy any enemy troops, combatants, vessels, aircraft, or any other thing, which it is his duty so to encounter, engage, capture, or destroy.'

In addition to a potential life sentence, punishments for the crimes Bergdahl was charged with include a dishonorable discharge from the Army, a reduction in rank all the way down to 'E-1' – the lowest level of enlisted personnel – and forfeiture of all of his military pay.

[37jetson]

If Bergdahl ends up be convicted this will be a major embarrassment to Obama.

[duane1969]

This took long enough.

[jlzinck]

If Bergdahl ends up be convicted this will be a major embarrassment to Obama.

Except to the people who blame everything on the GOP and CONSERVATIVES.

[Star_Cards]

I'd really like to know more about this case. So many things don't make sense, from the unequal trade to him thinking walking away from his post was a good idea. Did he not think he'd be captured. Was that his goal? Did he have more sinister motives? Are there other military that have been captured that haven't been traded for? I wonder if anything will really be answered throughout the trial.

[duane1969]

I'd really like to know more about this case. So many things don't make sense, from the unequal trade

Pretty much every "trade" the Obama administration has made with Islamic extremist groups have benefitted the Islamic extremist. His administration seems to be some of the worst negotiators in the history of negotiation.

to him thinking walking away from his post was a good idea. Did he not think he'd be captured. Was that his goal? Did he have more sinister motives?

This is where the real question lies. My true belief is that his original purpose was to join them and help them. Be it for personal political reasons or simply because he thought they would think his defection to their side made him important and he wanted to feel important, I believe he both deserted and is a traitor. There is no logical reason to believe anything else.

[shrewsbury]

why we ever traded to start with is crazy to me. people died trying to find this guy when he left on his own accord.

we should trade him back.

[habsheaven]

I'd really like to know more about this case. So many things don't make sense, from the unequal trade to him thinking walking away from his post was a good idea. Did he not think he'd be captured. Was that his goal? Did he have more sinister motives? Are there other military that have been captured that haven't been traded for? I wonder if anything will really be answered throughout the trial.

I agree. I am not too concerned with the "unequal trade". When one side values their "property" more than the other, this is what happens in a swap. What concerns me most is the lack of communication between the military and the State Dept? If Bergdahl was "damaged goods" (deserter) and the military was certain about it, why wasn't it conveyed to the people in charge negotiating a swap? Did they only get convincing evidence once he was debriefed? They had plenty of time to do a full investigation of the circumstances in this case. It also baffles me, as to why the "White House event" occurred if there was so much controversy already in the air. Serious lack of judgement on Obama and his PR dept. if these charges are upheld. Even if he beats them, still not the best decision by the PR dept.

[Star_Cards]

Pretty much every "trade" the Obama administration has made with Islamic extremist groups have benefitted the Islamic extremist. His administration seems to be some of the worst negotiators in the history of negotiation.



This is where the real question lies. My true belief is that his original purpose was to join them and help them. Be it for personal political reasons or simply because he thought they would think his defection to their side made him important and he wanted to feel important, I believe he both deserted and is a traitor. There is no logical reason to believe anything else.

From what I have heard and I haven't read too much about the story it seems pretty reasonable to think he more than likely deserted. I suppose he could have been so distraught that he wasn't rationally thinking and just left but will be interesting to see what his reasoning was.

[37jetson]

Pretty much every "trade" the Obama administration has made with Islamic extremist groups have benefitted the Islamic extremist. His administration seems to be some of the worst negotiators in the history of negotiation.

Jimmy Carter's negotiations would give him a run for his money.