How does everyone feel about PFC Bergdahl? How does one get meritoriously promoted for being a deserter?

Going against our policy of no negotiations with terrorists was not in our best interests nationally. Regardless of the situation, whether he's a deserter or a P.O.W., our policies were altered, which opens us up more to threats and danger. This only shows that there is way more to this than anyone of us know and hopefully a majority of it will come out in the wash here shortly...and I dont just mean the background of bergdal.

I guess that we have to let him know that a 2LT does have to salute a 1LT.

SSG Wicke, what policy is everyone talking about. I notice many respondent to be very naïve. They need to take a class in U.S. Foreign Policy. There has always been negotiation in the background either directly or indirectly. I am pretty sure some senior advisors at the National Security level determined it be in the best interest to bring him home a live. The president took a big gamble during an election year which his opponents are using against him. I fully support bringing every Soldier home and let the debriefing and investigation take its course. My last two cent before any one comment for or against the Soldier in question, put themselves in that situation or someone they care about and the response would be very differently.

SGT H, are you sure they have to??? (Raising eyebrow). LOL.

SGT Ortega: Your opinion of SGT Bergdahl may or may not have merit. You are stating your personal opinion. He may well have been a dirt bag. He may also have just been one of those people who pisses everybody off. It is not for you to be judge, jury, and executioner.

The commander of Bergdahl, whether it be his Battalion Commander, Brigade Commander, or even Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, will have the ultimate say in whether he faces a trial by Courts Martial or not. That decision will be based on evidence collected by investigators, and forwarded to the prosecuting JAG and Commander. IF there is not enough evidence, Bergdahl is presumed innocent, and rightly so. You can't convict someone based on hearsay - that is what happened during the Salem Witch Trials when young women were prosecuted and burned at the stake just because they had red hair.

If there is enough evidence, a convening authority will decide to prosecute, and if he is guilty of desertion, then he will receive punishment. This punishment will most likely include the loss of his rank and pay, as well as confinement.

Save the judgement - don't be so quick to condemn, even if you personally know Bergdahl - "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" is not just a verse from the Bible.

What have you done that you wouldn't want the world to know about?

SFC Wayman, mama..ma..ma..mama said that all ginger kids were witches! And I have done a lot of stuff that I don't want the world to know about, but one of those things wasn't deserting my unit on the battlefield. If that is what actually happened with Bergdahl. Not saying it is but..........

And please don't yell at me if you are redheaded. I meant no offense, it was all my mama. Plus, I was just lightly making fun of SFC Wayman.

LOL! SFC Carden - It's a good thing I know you and we're friends! You know I'm just pointing out that WE (as in you, I, and every other knuckle drag-er with a mouth) don't know all the facts. It does appear that he walked out, and it does appear that he abandoned his post, and it does appear that he deserted, but until the military decides to prosecute, charges, and convicts him, we won't really know - if ever... :)

And since you brought it up, I am (or was) a ginger - up until about 15 years ago, when my hair color changed for some reason to brown. Now it's going gray... And I'm pretty sure you're in that boat too!

SFC Wayman, I couldn't have said better by offering him due process. In my current position as SARC. I have victims approaching me on when the offender is going to get convicted and what's taking so long? The only answer I have for them, that the accused have a due process. Therefore, allow this SGT his due process. As I said in a previous post, I don't think the President took this decision very lately without some serious consideration and advice from his national security team.

SFC Newell, I understand why you might have this position, and I am deeply concerned about the prescedent this particular prisoner swap may set. However, I am still of the belief that we should NEVER leave a Soldier behind. Even if he's a dick.

I totally agree that we should never leave a Soldier behind. Let the investigation sort it out before anyone pass judgment. The truth shell surface soon or later.

I agree CPT Johnson. He is a captured U.S. Soldier to Haqqani, desserter or otherwise. Might not be a high value captive, but a captive nonetheless. He is propaganda subject. He put the U.S. in a bad position no doubt, but it was still better to get him out of there. If it's proven that he desserted, he really should answer to that charge.

Men died looking for him.....I agree with bringing him home...home to face man slauter charges for each soldier who died looking for him. The video that came out and was taken down almost as quick as it popped up shows him just walking away from his post. What happened to him after he gets out of the view of the camera is for the investigation team to figure out what happened, if they can. But the bottom line is if he did walk away from his post, we wldn't be having this conversation, and those men wld probably still be alive....