Have any of you listened to the Serial series about Bowe Bergdahl, and if so, has it altered your opinion of him and what he did?

Remember that when you view SGT Bergdhal the intent is not to excuse his actions, but to show that there is more to the story than simply the poor application of facts that the media originally portrayed. He was a PFC who violated a basic tenant of the military, BUT he was also a service-member who deserved to be saved, because we DO NOT leave men behind.

It is also important to illustrate that he did spend 5 years as a POW, attempted to escape several times and spent years being tortured by our enemies. Noone agrees with what he did, but people should be able to empathize with a soldier who was kept in captivity for years.

I highly suggest continuing the series to understand more of this dilemma.

I absolutley believe that he should not have been left behind, even though his actions led to the deaths and woundings of good men. My anger at his decision and the following events that it caused does make me want to feel otherwise though. If that makes sense.

Completely agree, did not shift my opinion in his favor at all. I have enjoyed the podcast and find it very interesting but I don't think it has helped his case (not that I care). If anything, the details of his "complaints" about his leadership has shown how deluded he was at the time, if you believe that's why he actually left (which I highly doubt), and have reinforced my opinion that he should be jailed for his desertion.

The interesting part of the case is what appropriate punishments should be for his desertion. Due to his status as a Prisoner of War is that time rolled into his punishment. Given the 5 years in captivity I expect his sentence to be concurrent to that time and his discharge to be under General Conditions because he was an American POW.

5 years was the typical sentence for deserting soldiers since WWII, so I do not expect him to serve any more time, but to be found guilty on the desertion charge.