Posted on 03/27/2015 11:17:59 AM PDT by jazusamo
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was not intending to desert his post in Afghanistan but instead wanted to walk to the nearest U.S. military post to report concerns about his unit, according to an Army report seen by U.S. officials.
Bergdahl was planning to report problems with "order and discipline" in his unit and believed he could not trust his own commanders to deal with them, an unnamed senior defense official told CNN.
The report was part of a fact-finding investigation conducted by Army investigators that was presented to Army Gen. Mark Milley before he charged Bergdahl with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.
"This was a kid who had leadership concerns on his mind," a second unnamed official told CNN. "He wasn't fed up, he wasn't planning to desert."
"I can't tell you if his concerns were valid, but in his mind they were," the official added.
Both officials said Bergdahl believed he could make it to the next base by relying on wilderness skills he learned growing up in rural Idaho.
Bergdahl's intent is expected to be part of his lawyer's defense of the 28-year-old Army sergeant as he faces an Article 32 hearing, which is a preliminary hearing to decide the next steps, including a potential court-martial.
In a 13-page letter to the Army, Bergdahl's lawyer, Eugene Fidell, reportedly wrote that the report "basically concludes that Sgt. Bergdahl did not intend to remain away from the Army permanently."
The letter also says the report concludes that Bergdahl's "specific intent was to bring what he thought were disturbing circumstances to the attention of the nearest general officer."
The Army's report has not been released publicly.
CNN reported last year that a British filmmaker who was working in Afghanistan in 2009 filmed Bergdahl and other members of his platoon in Afghanistan, allegedly showing lax discipline. One sergeant was demoted and three others reassigned.
I got lost going to the outhouse...
Now, Old Ben is just a lowly civilian puke -- but I'm guessing this is NOT how it's done the US Army.
He deserted which proves intent.
Disturbing circumstances? I wonder if they will claim he was gay and mistreated.
I’m trying to imagine some guy who leaves his gun at his bunk....walks out of camp...and aims to hitch-hike or walk to the nearest “other” post where he can report his Sarge, his commander and the others for some issue.
Maybe you could do something like this at Fort Hood, and hitch-hike to Fort Lewis (a 40 day hike), and you’d survive.
If this is his defense...he’s screwed. I’d go for the crazy-like-a-nut case and just say PTSD hit me and I just wasn’t myself.
The minute he put down the gun and left camp....he was screwed up as far as I’m concerned.
Someone in the Army is sucking up for a promotion.
allegedly showing lax discipline. One sergeant was demoted and three others reassigned.
And five died looking for the a-hole.Execute him
It’s definitely not the way it’s done. Bergdahl knew they were surrounded by terrorists, he’s a deserter, period.
What a load of crap, do they really think people - besides useful idiots- will buy that?
God Bless Our Active Military and God Bless Our Veterans.
Anything else I have to say about this nut would be profane.
xo
“I wonder if they will claim he was gay and mistreated.”
It wouldn’t surprise me a bit.
Those same people that voted for Obama twice? Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people.
Did he request to see an Inspector General?
Yes, that would have been noticed by his superiors, but deserting in a combat zone will really get you noticed by your superiors.
This is a baloney defense.
It would have been way easier to request to see an Inspector General. And I guarantee you, Bergdahl knew that.
A civilian court might believe....you are talking about harden military individuals who’ve all seen combat as the jury. This is the wrong strategy to use and they will just sit there and laugh about the mere suggestion of walking out the gate without your weapon.
Now....I will say this. IF he had walked and carried his weapon with him....he could say this excuse and maybe get one or two guys on the jury to buy this gimmick. Too bad he didn’t think about this ahead of time.
You’re right on.
Make that a MEGA-BARF
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