Leave No Man Behind.

SGT Carissa Lara, RCS — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 23:50:15 -0400

What are your thoughts on this article? I think that it makes a valid point. "The military doesn't just write someone off because we don't like them."
I have my opinions about Bergdahl, but I believe that everyone deserves to be brought home. Even if it's brought home to be brought to justice.
http://www.businessinsider.com/never-leave-behind-bowe-bergdahl-2014-6

Never Leave A Man Behind Doesn't Come With Restrictions

We don't have an asterisk on that phrase.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2014 12:09 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 00:09:36 -0400

I have to admit it's a pretty good article and makes a compelling case for bringing him back.

I do think he needed to be brought back then, as the evidence dictates, prosecuted for any misdeeds.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2014 9:25 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 21:25:29 -0400

By all accounts, Bergdahl was rather different, rated as a proficient soldier, did not get along well with members of his unit, studied local languages, spent a lot of time with Afghan soldiers, walked off base with three Afghan soldiers, and these four coalition soldiers were captured together. There are reports he was intoxicated when captured. We have no idea about his state of mind and/or his intentions when he walked past the wire. What we do know is that he was captured in uniform within a few hours, spirited from Afghanistan to Pakistan, moved frequently to evade rescue missions, guarded closely against escape, made two successful escapes and evaded his captors for several days, but he had no opportunity to return to any coalition military unit for the next five years from the morning of his absence until his return. He was properly classified as missing and captured. We had absolute obligation to rescue or recover his body.

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2014 10:22 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 22:22:07 -0400

I don't think that article really stresses the point that he left of his own free will and abandoned his post. He deserted. By doing such he abandoned the privileges that come with being a soldier. He really wasn't left behind. Left behind would be if you got separated and captured while on mission. This would be the Black Hawk Down scenario. He left out of on his own. By doing that shouldn't expect to be hailed as an hero or fought for. It was a selfish act that is not in line with the army values and it resulted in deaths of soldiers. I would charge that he left his unit and the army behind when walked off.

Response by SFC Gary Fox made Jun 7 at 2014 9:42 AM

SFC Gary Fox — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 09:42:54 -0400

When one makes a decision they must also look at the consequences that could result from it.

Releasing 5 Taliban leaders from Gitmo gave the Taliban a huge victory. For one, it changed the course of our foreign policy that we would not negotiate with terrorists. Second, these 5 Taliban leaders will be back in the fight. News reports are already confirming they plan to rejoin the fight against Americans as soon as possible. As they are free to travel anywhere they want to while in exile in Qatar for a year, they will be smuggled out within a few months and returned to Afghanistan.

This trade opened Pandora's box so to speak. We have other Taliban leaders at Gitmo. This trade has motivated the desire of the Taliban and other Islamic terrorist groups to kidnap more Americans military or civilian anywhere in the world to be held hostage for the release of more detained prisoners.

If anyone believes once we have completely withdrawn from Afghanistan the US will no fear of them, they are foolish. Illegal immigration in this country has proven our borders are defenseless and anyone with a real desire to cross them can, to include members of the Taliban or any other Islamic extremists.

I don't care if Bergdahl was one of the greatest Soldiers to wear the uniform, this trade has wrong because of the consequences that can result from it. Polls show the majority of Americans feel this trade was a mistake.

We do everything we can to not leave anyone behind, but the reality is that is sometimes impossible to do.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jun 7 at 2014 1:27 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 13:27:14 -0400

I agree with the article, leave no one behind. I am positive the Army will do a thorough investigation and if there is any wrong doing, they will punish SGT Bergdahl.

My concern is the details of the swap. Something is not right about the administrations willingness to go behind Congress's back and trade five high risk terrorists for a single PFC/SGT, it doesn't add up.

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Jun 7 at 2014 6:18 PM

SFC Charles W. Robinson — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 18:18:02 -0400

It is my personal belief that our leadership should not negotiate with terrorists. We must pursue every avenue to rescue captured American service members, but we must not ransom or trade prisoners for captured American service members. Giving up these five high ranking Taliban prisoners leaves me feeling like our country has been betrayed.

The discussion about the service member possibly being a deserter does not factor into this. It does not matter if the service member is a traitor or a Medal of Honor winner; you do not trade.

You do not trade for service members because this increases the likelihood that American citizens will be targeted in the future for the specific purpose of trading them for imprisoned terrorists. In addition, how many innocents will now be killed because these terrorists have been released and will return to the fight? How many new terrorists will now be recruited because of this?

As a Soldier I was prepared to make that sacrifice. It is our duty. How could I enjoy my new found freedom knowing the terrible cost that my freedom would cost innocents? It is a total anathema to our culture.

I understand that my family would be overjoyed to see me returned, but this is not an ethical factor. My duty to my fellow service members and to innocent people must be observed. What our present administration has done should not be applauded; for it is nothing short of treason.

In my opinion, the breaking of the law and the gross disregard for the consequences of this action by the current President should lead to his impeachment.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2014 5:41 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 17:41:26 -0400

I think there is more to this story that the public and military don't know. I am all for leaving no servicemember behind period. What if the 5 Taliban leaders were tracked somehow and now can lead the US to more key targets? Our government and technology is sophisticated enough to pull that off. Here's to wishful thinking.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Jul 26 at 2014 5:50 PM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 17:50:26 -0400

Very true, but I think that the "Powers that be" are going to see to it, that Bergdal will walk, with a mountain of back-pay, to keep the Commander in Cheif from looking bad.
I would be delighted to be wrong, but several friends in San Antonio, say that he's been seen out and about, and perhaps someone should inform him, a city with that many military bases in and around it, might not be the best place for him to be alone... at least not at this time... because there are lots and lots of wounded military, and military families there who don't see him as the President does.
Just saying...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2014 8:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Jul 2014 20:34:34 -0400

Never leaving a fallen comrade behind is one thing, UCMJ is another. Let the investigation finish and the results are what they are.

Response by MSG Jay Jackson made Jul 25 at 2017 9:52 AM

MSG Jay Jackson — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 09:52:58 -0400

I think that the soldier ceased to be a soldier when he left his unit and walked away from his post. Not to mention the resources used to try and locate him after he was found to be missing. He was not captured on the battlefield in combat He was allegedly drunk and walked away from his brothers, who depend on everyone to do their job. I would never trade so many bad guys for one traitor. I hope he gets what he deserves at trial. It is one thing to be taken at gun point after a fire fight with the enemy. It is another to walk away from you brothers in arms. I would put you in the same damn cell with the Fort Hood shooter, you seem to have more in common with him than the soldiers you served with.

Response by PO1 Sam Deel made Mar 14 at 2022 8:12 AM

PO1 Sam Deel — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 08:12:55 -0400

Was he brought Home to Justice? I thinketh not. He is still breathing.