"Bowe Bergdahl to Be Charged With Desertion"

[handmade34]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Sissyk (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: NBC News

According to the officials, the desertion charges would be based on allegations that Bergdahl abandoned his remote outpost in June 2009 to avoid hazardous duty or important service, which are grounds for charges of desertion under the Uniform Military Code of Justice, (UCMJ). According to one senior official, Bergdahl's actions in Afghanistan go well beyond the lesser offense of AWOL, absent without leave, because he allegedly abandoned his post "in the middle of a combat zone, potentially putting the lives of his fellows soldiers at risk."

The charges will apparently not allege that Bergdahl left with the intent never to return. Bergdahls was reportedly captured by the Haqqani terrorist network in Pakistan. He was released in a prisoner swap for five Taliban commanders held at Guantanamo Bay in May.

While a court martial could lead to imprisonment, defense and military officials tell NBC News it is likely Bergdahl would be given consideration for the 5 years he spent in captivity and be permitted to leave the Army with a "less than honorable discharge." If accepted, Bergdahl would be denied as much as $300 thousand in back pay and bonuses, and reduced in rank to at least Private First Class, the rank he held when he disappeared from his outpost in Afghanistan.

Army General Mark Milley, the command authority in the Bergdahl case has not publicly released his findings.


Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bowe-bergdahl-be-charged-desertion-officials-say-n294466

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[underpants]

1. I was wondering where this story had been

Less than honorable can be appealed after 6 months but I doubt he would get a favorable ruling on that

[yeoman6987]

4. If he only gets an OTH and fine, he should take it and run

It could have been much worse.

[Blue_Tires]

7. +1

[bluestateguy]

2. Let our justice system handle him if he did indeed desert

it never served the interests of the United States to let the terrorists have him. We did the right thing in exchanging him.

[mountain grammy]

3. He's one tough hombre for sure..

and if he did desert his unit, he should face court martial, but I honestly wish this man well.

[TwilightGardener]

5. I trust he will be handled fairly. There are probably some mitigating

circumstances (mental health issues, and the Army bears some blame--he never should have been allowed into the Army after being discharged for psychological reasons from the Coast Guard). There's no way they would put him in prison--that would be BEYOND cruel. He will be discharged in some way, and that will be it. Edit to add: I really hope he is able to put his life back together, he has to be profoundly affected by his experiences in captivity.

[Rhinodawg]

8. I feel bad for him...

young man/kid who didn't understand what he signed up for.

grew up with no TV, no exposure to outside world....

no idea what he was doing.

I feel bad for him.

[Sissyk]

10. Locking.

Locking as analysis and speculation. Please feel free to post in GD.