Posted on 09/17/2015 1:57:36 PM PDT by jazusamo
HOUSTON – Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's commanding officer said Thursday that his platoon was left "emotionally busted" by the physically and emotionally draining search for Bergdahl after he went missing from their post in Afghanistan six years ago.
Testifying at the outset of an Article 32 hearing to determine if Bergdahl should face a military trial on desertion and other charges, Capt. John Billings described the weeks of searching for the Idaho native, often on little food or sleep and in temperatures in the high 90s.
"Physically, mentally I was defeated," Billings said, adding that he felt like he had "failed" his men.
Billings said he thought his men were joking when they told him on June 30, 2009, that Bergdahl had gone missing from their post in southeastern Afghanistan's Paktika Province.
Before disappearing, Bergdahl had expressed opposition to the war in general and misgivings about his own role in it. Military prosecutor Maj. Margaret Kurz said Thursday that Bergdahl had actually been planning for weeks to abandon the post and had emailed friends and family about his plans beforehand.
"Under the cover of darkness, he snuck off the post," Kurz told the officer presiding over the hearing, saying she thinks the evidence is sufficient to warrant a court-martial.
Bergdahl spent five years as a Taliban captive before being exchanged for five Taliban commanders being held at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Many Republicans and some Democrats have criticized the deal, saying it was politically motivated and violated the U.S. policy on not negotiating with terrorists.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I wonder how many innocent lives have been lost since the five Taliban commanders were released back into service.
As far as I’m concerned, they can put Bergdahl in the same cell as Nidal Hasan.
Better yet, put them on the same gallows.
Absolutely, couldn’t agree more.
Why hasn’t that POS been SHOT, yet?
Yep, sadly they won’t even do it if he’s convicted.
He’d better PAY for all of this trouble. A LOT of blood is on his hands.
“I’d rather have a goat, but this will do.”
Every time I see that picture, I think “prison be-otch”.
Is this Captain the person O’Reilly is interviewing - I think it’s tonight ..??
I don’t always watch him .. but I’d like to hear what this Captain has to say.
5.56mm
He was/is a Friggin' coward.
Why'd he enlist in the first place?
Firing squad time and I volunteer.
I don’t know but I’ll watch for it though like you I seldom watch O’Reilly. Thanks.
That’s my understanding.
(we should trade Bergdahl for the hostages in Iran... at least that wouldn't be TREASON!))
I remember reading that his folks wanted NOTHING to do with him after Barry got him back. Anyone know if there is still some distance between Mom/Dad and their deserter POS kid?
WHERE the HELL has THAT picture been for 2 years???? I Have NEVER seen it before!!!
BINGO!!!!!!!!
That’s a lot of sacrifice to look for a stoner.
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