Army goes all-in on Bowe Bergdahl’s defense, assigns four military lawyers

Washington Times ^ | 5/17/16 | Rowan Scarborough

[Tammy8]

I thought about Nixon but was wondering if it was the same for military pardons.

[Mark17]

I thought about Nixon but was wondering if it was the same for military pardons.

Yes, it's hard to say, but if the Obungler does it, who will stop him? If he pardons all his minions, who will stop him? No one will.

[a fool in paradise]

I suspect that they knew Mr. Bergdahl was a deserter long before his promotion came. They’ve dragged their heels arriving at that conclusion and sentencing the enemy of the state.

It wasn’t merely that he ran away from post, he joined up with the enemy.

[MortMan]

Until the case is decided by a military authority, there is no way to deny the promotions. That is the way the rules are written, and they must be enforced. Military discipline has to apply to leadership as well.

Once the case is adjudicated, then the promotions can be taken away as part of a just punishment.

I agree that the army should have adjudicated this already, but given the current civilian head of the US military, perhaps the delay is wiser than we know.

But to do so absent a judicial order breaks the regulations - and a military hierarchy that can break its own regulations with impunity cannot apply discipline to its soldiers.