Army Bob: So let’s get this nasty business of Bergdahl over with

Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, the soldier who deserted his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held captive by various enemy groups until exchanged for five general-officer level enemy detainees, is back in the news. Will we ever be done with this guy?

Referring to this person as a sergeant is a difficult thing for me to do; the non-commissioned officer corps in every branch of the American military is an exceptional group of outstanding professionals. However, the law states that a member of our military who is held in captivity by an enemy receives normal promotions regardless of circumstance. Given the reports from the soldiers who served with him he never would have risen to the coveted rank of sergeant on his own merit.

The reports in the media of a new, second Article 32 investigation (think of it as a Grand Jury) being conducted is troubling. The investigating officer recommending to the courts marshal convening authority that Sgt. Bergdahl be tried by a Special Court and not a General Court is a travesty. The General Court has the greatest authority in the military judicial system and can decide to judge him not guilty or issue the death penalty and everything in between. If he is tried by a Special Court, the penalties are more in line with being late for work as opposed to deserting his unit in a combat zone.

Is the death penalty appropriate? I do not feel it is; the last solder to be executed by firing squad was during World War II and he deserted a number of times; Bergdahl deserted once. However, if convicted, the American Military Judicial System must issue him nothing less than a Dishonorable Discharge with all the disgrace, humiliation and ignominy that accompanies it. If convicted, he must not receive the sacred title of American Veteran. He never earned the right to be interred alongside honorable veterans or be in the company of honorably discharged warriors.

Sgt. Bergdahl displayed his monumental lack of common sense when he was reported to have used illegal drugs while on leave, showing his contempt for military law. Exactly how a person facing the death penalty or a life in prison charge is granted ordinary leave in the first place is a mystery to this old Army officer. Had he been an ordinary soldier and not a favorite son of the current Commander in Chief, he would have been removed from the Army for his drug use with no questions asked and at light speed.

Exactly just what is going on behind the headlines of this case is exceptionally troubling. Sgt. Bergdahl should have been tried and convicted or exonerated well over a year ago, but his Courts Marshal is still a good way off? The line was that we are waiting for the Forces Command Commander’s investigation and the Article 32 investigation to be completed; they were on 2 July and took an inordinate amount of time. Justice in this case is over a year behind the normal time line used for similar cases, and a conviction of Sgt. Bergdahl would be a very deep wound to the present Commander in Chief. We can only hope command influence, an enormous violation of military law and procedure, is not present; however, it is hard to believe it is not.

President Obama sincerity felt that the American people would cheer his embrace of a soldier who turned his back on his brothers and sisters in arms. President Obama truly felt he would reduce the detainee population in Guantanamo Bay (fulfilling a campaign promise) and he would be seen as the hero for gaining the release of an American held captive. The American left love anything anti-military and considers anyone who deserts the military as a true hero. Sgt. Bergdahl is indeed a true hero to the 5% in the left wing Hate-America-First group, but the majority of our nation views him as a despicable person without honor or decency, who if found guilty, deserves severe punishment.

President Obama had Sgt. Bergdahl’s parents in the White House and openly embraced them in the Rose Garden, with the cameras recording the Bergdahl family’s gratitude. Our President fully expected the accolades of a grateful nation, and he got it from the media; however, the American people refused to be duped by the administration and the media.

A campaign by the soldiers from his former unit won the day: the very soldiers he deserted, exceptional soldiers who served our nation with honor and dignity, are calling for a trial and a full investigation. Let’s hope the stain Sgt. Bergdahl has left on the honor, dignity and service of our country’s best is removed and he is finally, fairly and properly Court Martialed. Let us get this over with once and for all, convene a General Court Martial, exonerate him or convict him, but let’s be done with him.