I doubt if the WH ever knew the entire story on Bergdahl or discussed the matter with the Army prior to proceeding.
I’d also suggest this...if this goes to a court martial and he’s convicted...getting twenty-odd years, then I might expect him to do himself in. He’s extremely fragile and not able to handle any normal circumstance that people face. He should have gotten that message after the Coast Guard dismissed him from training...but apparently, he just wasn’t bright enough to figure that out.
I imagine there is an internal struggle.
The military wants to try him for desertion and aiding the muslim enemy.
Obama probably wants to award him a medal for the exact same acts.
I am betting he wont do any hard time. I think his attorney will plea bargain a Guilty plea in exchange for a reduction to Pvt E-1, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and a less than Honorable discharge (perhaps Dishonorable)but no confinement. Anybody want to take bets?
For one thing, the ratio of prisoner exchange was VERY lopsided. That alone established a very bad precedent.
Now five prisoners may be sprung from Gitmo for every casual prisoner taken by various factions of Islamic Jihadist terrorists.
And now, having gotten Bergdahl back, it was no heroic plus for our side, as he had little to recommend him for any honors or decorations. In fact, he may have not even have been held to the provisions of the UCMJ, as regards the behavior of captured military personnel while a prisoner.
UCMJ spells out very specifically, the captured service member may only provide name, rank, and serial number when captured, and imparting of any additional information, as to assigned unit, probable mission of that unit, or names of other members of that unit, are all prohibited.
Was Bergdahl guilty of any of this behavior, or not?
I never knew someone could be dismissed from the Coast Guard, then sign up for the Army. Seems there should be a way to prevent people like him from joining after the first attempt in another service.
Many don’t know this but the MAJOR reason Japanese were rounded up in WWII was for prisoner exchange. In fact the Japanese govt insisted on this for their protection.
Maybe we better round up more Muslims?
if this puke did himself in it would be a good thing.