The Bergdahl Problem - How will it turn out?

2014-09-23T09:04:33-04:00

I think this article "nails it" on why the Bergdahl investigation is likely taking so long. It is the hottest of political hot potatoes. Isn't MG Dahl between a big rock and a super hard place? On the one hand, President Obama views Bergdahl's release as a "feather in his cap" (see the article). On the other hand, some of Bergdahl's comrades are calling him a deserter.

Do you see a way forward (/outcome) that doesn't reflect negatively on the President and still results in justice?

http://www.reviewjournal.com/columns-blogs/sherman-frederick/court-martialing-bergdahl-would-make-president-look-bad

Court-martialing Bergdahl would ‘make the president look bad’

You must ask yourself why three and half months have gone by and the Obama Administration has failed to make a determination on Bowe Bergdahl — is he a deserter or a POW?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 23 at 2014 9:09 AM

2014-09-23T09:09:18-04:00

So we give this guy a POTUS Pardon?? Nah, not happening. The Prez ALREADY looks bad. This is just the cherry on top of the jimmies, on top of the frosting on top of the cup cake.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 23 at 2014 9:13 AM

2014-09-23T09:13:28-04:00

There isn't an 'out' that won't make the administration look bad, if he is Court Martialed, he looks bad for swapping the bad guys for a deserter. If he is 'exonerated' of the charges of desertion, there will be a loud protest of cover up. I don't see an out on this one.. unless the tactic is to delay until they determine the public has forgotten (don't see that happening either).

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 23 at 2014 9:34 AM

2014-09-23T09:34:18-04:00

I bet you more than anything, this will end with little public knowledge. Bergdahl will finish his term of service, get some sort of discharge and continue on and quickly be forgotten by the media. We'll never know what his intentions were in leaving the camp and we'll never know what, if any, information he gave the enemy and how that information may or may not been a combat multiplier for them. Veterans will yell of a cover up and politicians will stick to their party lines.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2014 10:13 AM

2014-09-23T10:13:48-04:00

If I were POTUS I would spin it as:

"He is a Soldier and now he is safe from our enemies to face up to his crimes in front of our system, not in front of our enemy."

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 23 at 2014 7:04 PM

2014-09-23T19:04:47-04:00

He broke his own rule #1 - "The US does not negotiate with terrorists" Now I feel for any US citizen, even this bum, who has to be on the sh!t end of that deal. SMs know the risks we signed up for, news media personnel know the risks when they travel to these hot spots, but John & Jane American who may get caught off guard (thought WTF would they be doing in an area like this)didn't agree to anything.

All it took was to give in ONCE, and he did.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 23 at 2014 7:34 PM

2014-09-23T19:34:33-04:00

I would like to argue that the Bergdahl trade has influenced the behavior and tactics of ISIS. However he is a soldier and has to answer to the UCMJ not t-man justice.