Posted on Sep 18, 2015
SGT Jeremiah B.
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Essentially, General Dahl's investigation found that Bergdahl was attempting to reach a larger US outpost to report things that he perceived to be problems and had an over-inflated view of his own ability to pull it off.

Based on the bits of the old reports I've read and some of the other stuff, I actually think this is a plausible defense. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out in court anyway.

TSgt Hunter Logan SFC James Sczymanski , LTC Bink Romanick , SGT Ben Keen , Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS , SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" , SFC Joseph James , CPT (Join to see), COL Mikel J. Burroughs , MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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General-speak, translated to NCO-Speak:

1. Bergdahl is "unrealistically idealistic" - He is a dumbass
2. Bergdahl is remorseful for the trouble his actions caused - he wishes he didn't get in trouble.
3. Bergdahl left his SAW at the patrol base so he could "blend in to his surroundings" - yup. White guy in ACUs blends in real well. Nothing out of place here. See #1.
4. Bergdahl is "very bright and very well read" - nerd alert.
5. Bergdahl is fascinated by samurai culture - nerd alert smoking gun.
6. Bergdahl should have a larger role in targeting the Taliban - actually, SGT Bergdahl might be onto something here. He sure knew where to find the Taliban...
7. Bergdahl considered bringing a fellow Soldier's M9 with him, but didn't want to get him in trouble - this shows premeditation and planning. SAWs are heavy, and there is real shortage of shurikens, sai, and katanas in Afghanistan. Even deserters think the M9 is worthless.
8. Bergdahl had "unconventional upbringing" - yup, his parents are pieces of work too.
9. Bergdahl had "outsized impressions of his capabilities" - he may be a dumbass nerd, but he does dumbassery BIG. I think I'll do a 19-mile run in Paktika Province...
10. Bergdahl saw problems that other Soldiers did not - Bergdahl is paranoid.
11. Bergdahl saw the CSM and BC saying/ doing mean things - it is somebody else's fault.
12. Bergdahl "absolutely believed the things he perceived were true" - Berdahl is right, everyone else is wrong. Trust me, I have amazing capabilities...
13. "NTC is lame" - See #12

Fifty nine days with this knucklehead. You deserve an award for doing this and keeping a professional demeanor, MG Dahl. My hat's off to you.
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MSgt Materiel Management
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Best breakdown ever awesome
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SSG Stan Popov
SSG Stan Popov
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By far the best breakdown and translation. Should be taught at every Military institute. KaKaw
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
1SG (Join to see)
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This is a skill level 5 task, SSG Stan Popov. I think they are working it into the new Master Leaders Course.
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SSG Stan Popov
SSG Stan Popov
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Soon to become the coveted "secret squirl"........
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SPC Treatment Medic
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I also recommend no jailtime, I instead recommend firing squad.
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CW3 Mobility Officer
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So how is this advocating murder? its still on the books that treason during wartime is punishable by death?? If anyone really believes the story then more power to you, you have that right to your opinion but to flame someone that is calling for a punishment that is still on the books is wrong. We all are entitled to our opinions. In the end he will not get the punishment he deserves due to the way it will make the administration look that is why so many are suggesting that everything be done as quite as possible now.

When he was first recovered everyone in the administration thought this was going to put to bed all the other issues that were going on at the time little did they know this was going to blow up in there face. Now they are stuck in denial as they try to salvage this situation as much as possible.
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SrA Maintenance Technician
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If you had a firing squad for every case of stupid, no branch would have any bullets left.
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SPC Treatment Medic
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SrA (Join to see) this isn't a "case of stupid" using our ATVs for racing around a cop is a case of the stupid.. Telling CSM to get fucked and go get his own weapon as he tells you move out of "his" seat and grab his weapon out of his tent for patrol and wanting to ride in the platoons primary designated ground evac vehicle when he came to do battlefield rotations and assessments once. The seat he referred to being the one you've been riding in the whole deployment with your own little medical easy grab set up. Those are examples of stupid.

What the fuckhead we're talking about here is not a case of the stupid. It is exactly what he is being charged with, and I hope they put him to death. No one forced him in this army he joined willingly. He made the choice to go with a MOS that almost garuneteed a deployment. He made the choice to abandon his cop, his brothers in arms, who were already short on bodies in a very kinetic area. So I say it again, and bluntly, lacking tact. Fuck him. Firing squad.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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SrA (Join to see) - One thing that will never happen is that we will run out of bullets. I would think that shooting the occasional knucklehead would actually conserve resources, as the dumbasses get the message and we don't have to squander ammo getting them qualified every year.
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SGT Project Engineer
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This guy...

He broke the first general order. The number one thing we are taught. If he does not get a severe punishment, then we are sending the message that you do not have to obey a lawful order. imagine where this take us.

Desertion. It's exactly what he did. He needs AT LEAST get that amount of jail time.

1st General Order
"I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved."
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SGT Jeremiah B.
SGT Jeremiah B.
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Technically, he waited until he was relieved to skedaddle. I'm not sure that helps much though other than to make me wonder how the hell he got out without being noticed.
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SGT Project Engineer
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It was a very small outpost. I am surprised as well how nobody noticed, but then again if you guard something - you know the weak points.
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1SG Civil Affairs Specialist
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I have often wondered how Bergdahl got out of a platoon COP unnoticed. You'd think that somebody would be on the gate or in the tower. Nobody just goes for a stroll in East Afghanistan.
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