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

I'm just concerned of the precedent this has now set. We do now negotiate with terrorists. They also owned us on the propaganda front (and have been for years), because of course they had video of them letting him go.

When PFC Bergdal walked away from his post the Battalion/Regimental Commader had to do an investigation to report up to his superiors. He would assign an investigating officer to find out as much information as possible and report his findings to his commander in a timely matter. I would say lets take a look at all of the evidence and witnesses this commander has documented along with any witnesses to the event that come forward up to present day.
I believe bringing PFC Bergdal home is important. He was never convicted/tried of anything under the UCMJ so would continue to get scheduled promotions. Now that SGT Berdal is in the United States bring forward the evidence and decide if a trial is in order. From what I have watched on the news with Soldiers coming forward their is probably not one 11B infantrymen in the US Army that would stand next to him in a fight. That is saying something about SGT Bergdals character. If convicted of desertion or whatever the charge is we shall see if a General just sweeps it under the rug since this would blemish the Presidents DIRECT involvement.

I am really having a problem with this whole thing. I have a cousin who was my idol when I was a child. He went to Vietnam and never came home. We heard that he was a POW, but he was slipped into MIA status, but all I know, is that he never came home.
Now, there is this guy who might possibly be not so nice, but he was considered a POW for 5 years, so I was overjoyed when he was free... and then I started hearing about the way he was "captured" How those around him said he was mailing, or asking about mailing all his things home... how he disrespected the other troops and our country, and even after that, other Americans were willing to give their lives to get him back. Six Americans died for him. I am sure there were other who were wounded in this, but I haven't heard about them yet. So, Six died for him, and five really bad people were traded for him. I don't think the scales balance in this instance.
I've heard Hillary Clinton, and that woman, Susan Rice, telling us how good a thing it is, because he "served with distinction.." I feel like I am looking at two plus two equals seven here... it just doesn't add up.
As to how one makes rank... I am not sure, but I've seen it many times in the Army. They presupose that you will have kept your nose clean and done your work... therefore you get a new rank, based on time in service... I'm not sure you could call it Meritorious though. Just saying...

SGT Tony O. Just a couple of points: First, he has not yet had a trial and been proven to be a Deserter. No matter what we may feel, every person subject to the UCMJ is still supposed to be tried prior to any trial by his peers in a Forum. He was promoted along with his peer group as if her were an average Soldier. BUT that brings me to

Point Two. Are we really at WAR? If we are, who declared it. He is being hailed as a prisoner of war and some on this Forum are suggesting that he is a Deserter and needs to be put to death. I believe we are not at war because the "War on Terror" was never declared by Congress and if not then the UCMJ says that even if he is a deserter and is tried and proven to be a deserter then

"Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if
the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment
as a court-martial may direct, but if the desertion or attempt to desert occurs
at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial
may direct.”

So the biggest two questions are Deserter? and War? And promotions seem to be moot.

Treat him like the deserter he is.

How did he get the SGT without going before a board? I don't know anyone that got NCO just for living.

At the end of brief event, the soldier’s father, Bob Bergdahl, recited the most frequent phrase in the Koran — “Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim” —which means “In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Compassionate.”

After Bergdahl finished his statement and his praise for Allah, Obama hugged him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeUqBNtWpig

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has caught this but if Bergdahl was a POW should he then not be subject to the death penalty for desertion during a time of war? Something tells me this fact will be overlooked and if he is found to be a deserter, nothing will happen.

"Meritoriously Promoted." I don't even know what that means. Promotions to SPC, SGT and SSG are automatic (based on time and eligibility criteria). While POW status, pay and entitlements continue to NOK, as well as promotions that take effect on standard timeline.

Im just glad someone actaully stood by "leave no one behind". Now how he got in that situation is up to the Army to figure it out.
Let him come home, decompress, reintergrate, then start trial.
If true he needs to pay for his actions. BTW they need to charge Jessica Lynch too for being a false hero. Just my opinion on that.

I know this is not directly relatable to the topic, exactly...but I think we have determine how and why he was promoted.

I have noticed something on the news today that was not as evident yesterday: many of his platoon members feel it is neccessary to violate their non-disclosure agreements to characterize his service since they feel that he was a deserter and not worth the six lives lost in attempted recovery missions.

I wonder how this may sway people's opinions. I agree that we need to let the facts come out, and hopefully this will not be one of those "well he did 5 years with the Taliban in capitivity, he has been punished enough" situations. However, if it is found that he really did desert, what should come of it? He is lucky that the Haqqani Network are the ones who found him. They have a history of negotiating for release. The AQ were not so nice to Daniel Pearl, and they are in this AO as well.

I am just curious what the full-story is and what will truly come of it.