Posted on Sep 18, 2015
Investigating General Recommends Against Jailtime for Bergdahl. What do you think?
28.1K
328
160
13
13
0
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
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
Posted in these groups: 
Bergdahl
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Desertion
Court Martial
Bergdahl Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan Desertion Court Martial
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 74
0
0
0
I think he is a traitor and believe none of what he says. Too many people state the obvious that he walked away with no good intentions during time of war. To add insult to injury, the loss we take during the time we go looking for him. Then trading 5 high value for him? All bad!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I am glad to see that the FORSCOM CG decided not to follow this Officers recommendations...
I was in Theater when Bergdahl low-crawled 500 meters away from his post...leaving not only his weapon but his body armor behind... he had mailed his laptop home along with many of his personal possessions and in his emails he had stated that he "no longer wanted to be an American". The local villagers that saw him later that morning at 1000hrs (Bergdahl abandoned his outpost at 0200hrs) and said he was "actively asking where to find the Taliban".
There is very little that anyone could POSSIBLY say in his defense after all of that. and it is my personal opinion that the investigative GEN got caught up in Administration politics rather than any reasonable expectation of UCMJ, something the GEN himself SHOULD come under fire for.
The desertion charge against Bergdahl, which falls under Article 85 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, carries a maximum punishment of five years confinement, a dishonorable discharge, reduction to the rank of E-1, forfeiture of all pay and allowances.
The misbehavior before the enemy charge, which falls under Article 99 of the UCMJ, carries a maximum punishment of confinement for life as well as a dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank to E-1, and forfeiture of pay and allowances.
Its just too bad we cant have him face a firing squad, I'd volunteer in a heartbeat and I'd DEMAND to have one of the real rounds...
I was in Theater when Bergdahl low-crawled 500 meters away from his post...leaving not only his weapon but his body armor behind... he had mailed his laptop home along with many of his personal possessions and in his emails he had stated that he "no longer wanted to be an American". The local villagers that saw him later that morning at 1000hrs (Bergdahl abandoned his outpost at 0200hrs) and said he was "actively asking where to find the Taliban".
There is very little that anyone could POSSIBLY say in his defense after all of that. and it is my personal opinion that the investigative GEN got caught up in Administration politics rather than any reasonable expectation of UCMJ, something the GEN himself SHOULD come under fire for.
The desertion charge against Bergdahl, which falls under Article 85 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, carries a maximum punishment of five years confinement, a dishonorable discharge, reduction to the rank of E-1, forfeiture of all pay and allowances.
The misbehavior before the enemy charge, which falls under Article 99 of the UCMJ, carries a maximum punishment of confinement for life as well as a dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank to E-1, and forfeiture of pay and allowances.
Its just too bad we cant have him face a firing squad, I'd volunteer in a heartbeat and I'd DEMAND to have one of the real rounds...
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I smell a rat. Sounds like politics is getting in the way of sound military decision making.
So it's ok to violate the UCMJ just because I didn't "mean to cause a fuss." No way. He made a conscious decision, he had a plan, and failed to carry it out. In legal terms we call this "malice a forethought" meaning he purposely meant to break the rules. But we will give him a pass because it didn't work out like he thought?
If this is the new standard, then the Army (and the military as a whole) is in big trouble.
So it's ok to violate the UCMJ just because I didn't "mean to cause a fuss." No way. He made a conscious decision, he had a plan, and failed to carry it out. In legal terms we call this "malice a forethought" meaning he purposely meant to break the rules. But we will give him a pass because it didn't work out like he thought?
If this is the new standard, then the Army (and the military as a whole) is in big trouble.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
SGT Jeremiah B. SGT I wouldn't even waste bullets on him. Feed him to crocs or lions. Give him Chinese water torcher
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Fine, just make sure he gets a Dishonourable Discharge. And a non-disclosure order, so he can't make money off of his "adventure".
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
SGT Jerimiah Brookings,
So, based on first glance at the Washington Post article you referenced I am struck by how enamored this COL seems to have become with SGT Berdahl's story after 59 days interviewing him. He should have recused himself, in my opinion because he became emotionally involved with the Soldiers story. The first and most important charge is desertion. Nothing in this article about his reasons whether real or imagined rise to the level of his own actions.
So, based on first glance at the Washington Post article you referenced I am struck by how enamored this COL seems to have become with SGT Berdahl's story after 59 days interviewing him. He should have recused himself, in my opinion because he became emotionally involved with the Soldiers story. The first and most important charge is desertion. Nothing in this article about his reasons whether real or imagined rise to the level of his own actions.
(0)
(0)
SGT Robert Schaefer
SGT Berdahl should be locked up. He got good soldiers killed looking for his sorry a@#.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
He walk away of his own will. He knew he was wrong, his actions cost lives, then we traded 5 now verified terrorists for him, by no means was he a free agent or a first round draft pick. He deserves what he gets and I hope he understands why...
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
He thought he was smarter than those that outranked him. That right there is the start of his problems.
Why does this Maj. Gen. think we want his two cents? Do your job, gather evidence and question Bergdahl...your opinion is not part of the equation.
Why does this Maj. Gen. think we want his two cents? Do your job, gather evidence and question Bergdahl...your opinion is not part of the equation.
(0)
(0)
SGT Jeremiah B.
Agree or disagree with his assessment but part of his job is to make recommendations. He's the one that spent over a year looking at the entire thing and piecing it all together.
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
He deliberately left his post. He should be sent to Court Martial. That he was held captive for five years does not mitigate this fact...
SGT Jeremiah B.
I don't think the General is recommending against a CM. He's recommending against jail time for a number of reasons, mostly revolving around mental health.
(1)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Perhaps - if it's proven that he is unable to aid in his own defense, and if it's proven that he was completely gone when he abandoned his post. But his statements don't jibe with that kind of disability.
And to say he shouldn't be punished because he was in captivity is like the Menendez brothers asking for mercy because they are orphans...
And to say he shouldn't be punished because he was in captivity is like the Menendez brothers asking for mercy because they are orphans...
0
0
0
SGT Jeremiah Brookins, It sounds as if Bergdhal will be charged and judged as if he were a high ranking officer.
(0)
(0)
SGT Jeremiah B.
Nah, but proving desertion would be...difficult. They're just going to go for other charges that likely would carry stiffer penalties anyway. The general in charge of the investigation has simply forwarded his opinion that Bergdahl wasn't right in the head to begin with and has suffered enough.
(0)
(0)
SFC Mark Bailey
"Proving desertion"..??
His own Platoon testified that he low crawled away at 0200 hours leaving his weapon, body armor, and most everything else behind... He mailed his laptop home along with most of his personal possessions three days earlier...and his emails have several comments saying he "no longer wanted to be an American". The local villagers testified that Bergdahl was seen later that morning in their village asking "to be put in contact with the local Taliban leaders"...
Bergdahl's lawyers are scrambling to save him.... and with good reason... he's not worth even one of th men that died trying to find him and certainly not worth the freeing of even one of those Taliban commanders by our "soon-to-be-gone" commander in chief.
His own Platoon testified that he low crawled away at 0200 hours leaving his weapon, body armor, and most everything else behind... He mailed his laptop home along with most of his personal possessions three days earlier...and his emails have several comments saying he "no longer wanted to be an American". The local villagers testified that Bergdahl was seen later that morning in their village asking "to be put in contact with the local Taliban leaders"...
Bergdahl's lawyers are scrambling to save him.... and with good reason... he's not worth even one of th men that died trying to find him and certainly not worth the freeing of even one of those Taliban commanders by our "soon-to-be-gone" commander in chief.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google