Bergdahl Was In Unit Known For Its Troubles (Here come the smears)

The New York Times ^ | June 7, 2014 | Richard A. Oppel Jr. and Eric Schmitt

[2ndDivisionVet]

The platoon was, an American military official would assert years later, “raggedy.”

On their tiny, remote base, in a restive sector of eastern Afghanistan at an increasingly violent time of the war, they were known to wear bandannas and cutoff T-shirts. Their crude observation post was inadequately secured, a military review later found. Their first platoon leader, and then their first platoon sergeant, were replaced relatively early in the deployment because of problems.

But the unit — Second Platoon, Blackfoot Company in the First Battalion, 501st Regiment — might well have remained indistinguishable from scores of other Army platoons in Afghanistan had it not been for one salient fact: This was the team from which Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl disappeared on June 30, 2009.

In the years since Sergeant Bergdahl’s capture by the Taliban, and even more since his release last week in a contentious prisoner exchange for five Taliban fighters, much has been written suggesting that he was a misfit soldier in something of a misfit platoon that stumbled through its first months in Afghanistan and might have made it too easy for him to walk away, as his fellow soldiers say he did.

Indeed, an internal Army investigation into the episode concluded that the platoon suffered from lapses in discipline and security in the period before Sergeant Bergdahl — a private first class at the time who was promoted while in captivity — disappeared into Paktika Province, two officials briefed on the report said.

But their problems in many ways reflected those of the Pentagon’s strategy writ large across Afghanistan at that moment of the war. The platoon was sent to a remote location with too few troops to seriously confront an increasingly aggressive insurgency, which controlled many villages in the region....

[ilovesarah2012]

I bet Obama is wishing someone would find MH370.

[smoothsailing]

Bergdahl Was In Unit Known For Its Troubles

It was so bad that guys were deserting left and right, hundreds at a time...

Huh, what's that? Bergdahl was the only quitter? oh. Nevermind.

[molson209]

Just wait until Bergdahl does his first interview , LOL

[The Antiyuppie]

“Mary Mapes and Dan Rather, please pick up the white courtesy phone.”

Soon, a letter written on an IBM Selectric dated “June 12, 2010 A.D.” (they’re learning!) will appear in the other soldiers’ files complaining about the lack of disciplinary in the platoon.

[yawningotter]

There is no room for chickens#!t out there.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Mr. Sutton/Mr. Cornelison...

No rank mentioned.

[ConorMacNessa]

"Well, where are the OTHER deserters from that unit?

(crickets)

Shut up, NYTs."

Indeed! For that matter where are the other deserters from any unit? I'm not aware of any.

The only "raggedy" thing in his unit was he himself. He's what we used to refer to in my day as the Platoon "S__t - Bird."

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their command.

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[2ndDivisionVet]

Oh, in the article? That’s their stylebook, same as the Wall Street Journal and most of the British newspapers.

[gov_bean_ counter]

OK.

[TADSLOS]

Utter Horse Droppings.

[taxcontrol]

No inspection ready unit has passed combat.
No combat ready unit has passed inspection.

From a former Infantry Sergeant (1st BN 52nd Inf, D company)

[blueunicorn6]

I don’t give a s**t about anything else. Those guys went out into hostile territory to try and get Bergdahl back.

What a chickenshit article from a chickenshit writer at a chickenshit newspaper.

They risked their lives to get a deserter back and the New York Times dishonors their courage and devotion. What a cowardly, foolish article.
Just one of those Soldiers in that unit has more courage, compassion and commitment in one little finger than every journalist in this country lumped together has.

[2ndDivisionVet]

When you’ve left the service, you don’t hold rank any longer, unless you retired after 20 years or some other situations. No one calls me “Specialist 6 ****** anymore.

[gov_bean_ counter]

What you said...

[gov_bean_ counter]

Thanks for that info.

[WildWeasel]

Desperation by the biggest water carrier for Obama. So lame and weak.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

But other members of the unit who spoke on the condition of anonymity offered similar accounts.

The anonymous source.. a NY Times registered trademark.

Talk about being trapped behind enemy (The NY Times') lies.

It's just a matter of time before they print a story that an anonymous fellow soldier said that Bergdahl stole a helicopter and killed the six troops himself.. or some wild tale like that to use to mock those who don't worship the One.

[blueunicorn6]

Hang yourself, brave Richard, for we fought at Arques today.....AND YOU WERE NOT THERE.

[Gene Eric]

The NYT found a narrative that’s gained traction in Leftdom.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Can’t wait for the Sunday talk show spins.