Bergdahl - are we coddling him, if so when are we going to quit coddling and hold him accountable?

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 14:30:42 -0400

His Courts martial is scheduled for 8 July - several members of his unit (and platoon) spoke directly to some of the most senior within the Department of Defense about the specifics on Bergdahl.....you cannot discount the fact that six Soldiers died looking for him - is he being coddled, is the most senior leadership jockeying to find a fall guy here and claim they did not know? Will they try to discredit the platoon members so they can claim they did not know?

You really have to listen to this!:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/04/17/bergdahl-teammates-head-joint-chiefs-knew-walked-off/

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 2:34 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 14:34:38 -0400

I say quit coddling him. It's a damn shame that the senior leadership knew this and still traded his traitor ass for criminals. I'm sick of hearing about him. He abandoned his post and fellow soldiers died looking for him. Throw his ass into the brig until they allow a firing line again.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 3:05 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 15:05:20 -0400

Obama and damage control.....

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 18 at 2015 3:30 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 15:30:00 -0400

Guilty or not, at this point I'm just tired of hearing about him. IF he truely is guilty of the allegations, then let the courts do their jobs. IF he's innocent, same comment.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 18 at 2015 3:35 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 15:35:45 -0400

They can blame me as far as I'm concerned. But he has to be held accountable!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 18 at 2015 3:41 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 15:41:02 -0400

I personally would like to see him in front of a firing squad or hanged to make an example for other fruitcakes who entertain deserting. He cost several lives and many grieving families.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 18 at 2015 4:46 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 16:46:52 -0400

Yes, I would have to agree that there is some coddling going on.... Or perhaps more accurately, catering to the media so the senior leadership and administration can try to save face to what ever degree that's
possible.
Perhaps the most telling thing of all in the Bergdahl situation is how many teammates have come forward speaking out against him. In the military, we tend to look out for our own. Sometimes that means closing ranks and dealing with problems ourselves, but in this case they stepped back very quickly. That doesn't tend to happen in the military unless somebody really screwed up.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Apr 18 at 2015 4:51 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 16:51:10 -0400

One other comment: The first poll choice refers to him as an NCO. It kind of rubs me the wrong way every time I see him referred to with that title of honor. He has never been and never will be an NCO. He got promoted in paygrade by time alone, was never boarded, never attended required schools, and never should've been promoted being a deserter.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 7:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 19:41:56 -0400

He is not a NCO. I do wish that his court marshal will be quick so we can all move on and forget about him. Spend out time worrying about real soldier.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 18 at 2015 7:47 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 19:47:43 -0400

Punishment - Maximum but not capital punishment.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 7:59 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 19:59:34 -0400

We need to put the lid on this soldier...and quick. We do not need any more copycat deserters...

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 8:01 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 20:01:55 -0400

Make leadership accountable, recognition of FU'd troops need to be addressed. Knowing he was going to walk off, and knowing he walked off can mean two entirely different things.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 8:06 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 20:06:01 -0400

Let's get on with the trial already.

I think half the reason it is dragging out is that they know what the outcome of the Court Martial is going to be, and they know that it is not going to be in favor with certain political parties and leaders.

If he is guilty, then he will be found guilty.

I'm personally sick of the media outlets that call for just letting him go because of "what he endured". That doesn't take into account his crime (if found guilty) and is willfully ignorant of the way the real world, the military, and war works.

That said, pardoning him if he is found guilty would be political suicide for anyone who supported it.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Apr 18 at 2015 8:17 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 20:17:58 -0400

It scares me to think about how many people sincerely believe they know enough about this situation to state an opinion.

I honestly don't know enough to comment about his situation. I do, however, know nothing in the military or media is what it seems. I also know I don't trust those six men in his platoon any more than I trust Bergdahl himself.
Why should I? Why should you?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 8:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 20:34:15 -0400

Waiting years for a courts marshal that should end pretty cut and dry. Line him up infront of a wall and shoot him like the deserter he is, ensuring that the world knows what happened from when he walked off his post to the firing squad's shot.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2015 9:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 21:40:47 -0400

Who is this guy?! He should already be in the stockade for the rest of his life. Our government doesn't owe him anything except to make sure his traitor ass is thrown in prison. He definetly wasn't worth swapping five crooks and causing six deaths. I'm really sick of him being in the limelight. His smirky face makes me sick.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 18 at 2015 11:38 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 23:38:59 -0400

Id hope the UCMJ works as it should, he is convicted, sentenced to the maximum allowed, stripped of rank, issued a bad conduct discharge, then once released from a long prison stay, suffers greatly until the day he leaves life.

If that is not plain enough for readers, please, feel free to inquire. Id happily expand on my position for this subject.

Response by SGT Michael Touchet made Apr 19 at 2015 2:00 AM

SGT Michael Touchet — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 02:00:26 -0400

This guy needs to answer for his actions. If he is found guilty then he will be held accountable for his conduct. The real question should be, if he is found guilty, then what should the appropriate penalty be? I would say the most severe would be appropriate.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 19 at 2015 2:08 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 02:08:28 -0400

I think (from what I know, which is only what the news tells me) yes... And I certainly hope so.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2015 4:29 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 04:29:53 -0400

I know that there has to be a trial but once it is done then Bergdahl should be put in front of firing squad consisting of those who had to look for him!

The Senior Official need to be relieved! ALL OF THEM!

This administration has been quick to relieve Commanders and CSM's for Command Client Survey's and other minuscule things.

Our Country is falling apart and something needs to be done now!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2015 2:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 14:08:43 -0400

This right here further proves that our president knew he was a deserter all ready and still negotiated with terrorists and let 5 detainees go for the same of closing down Gitmo. No he shouldn't be coddled! He should be in Afghanistan still or on a video they love to make.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Apr 20 at 2015 2:42 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:42:43 -0400

Tired of hearing about this loser and his attorney bringing up all his past "problems / mental health issues", needing to go to a different base to report a problem, etc.
Let the JAG handle this and stop with all the media hoopla.
Fair trial and if found guilty then sentence him accordingly under the UCMJ.

On a personal note though I have strong feelings this guy is guilty as hell and deserves nothing less than to spend the rest of his life in prison, preferably solitary confinement.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made Apr 21 at 2015 12:31 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 12:31:35 -0400

Who cares at this point just let the court decide.

Response by SPC Kristina Robinson made Oct 8 at 2017 11:57 AM

SPC Kristina Robinson — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 11:57:18 -0400

Hebwent AWOL, during a war, want that punishable by death in Nam?

Response by SPC Kristina Robinson made Oct 8 at 2017 11:59 AM

SPC Kristina Robinson — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 11:59:08 -0400

Dishonorable discharge at tge very least and NO MILITARY OR VA BENNIES.

Response by CW5 Edward "Tate" Jones Jr. made Oct 8 at 2017 1:25 PM

CW5 Edward "Tate" Jones Jr. — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 13:25:57 -0400

Recent news reports indicate that Bergdahl has indicated that he will plead GUILTY to desertion and Misbehavior before the Enemy in exchange for an unannounced sentence BEFORE his scheduled Courts Martial this month. It is good that this is ending and hopefully he will get a severe form of punishment, but not everyone will be satisfied no matter which way this goes. Time for HIM to "do his time" and for US to "move on."

Response by MSG Greg Kelly made Jan 7 at 2022 3:56 PM

MSG Greg Kelly — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 15:56:53 -0500

that douche bag should have gone to jail. but he never should have been traded for.