It is has been reported that army may continue pursuing the investigation of possible desertion of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl according to Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey. For our readers who aren’t aware, Sgt. Bergdahl was the soldier who has been recently freed from the Taliban captivity after five years of being held prisoner.
In addition to what Dempsey stated, The Associated Press through an interview via telephone, has learned from the General that in regards with Berdahl’s case, he is not anticipating the possible outcome of the investigation or saying things regarding the case to ensure he doesn’t influence the decision of the commander in charge. He further stated that US military leaders were accused before turned a blind eye toward their misconduct, and stated that it is premature for him or other officials to assume they will be doing the same in the case of Bergdahl. This is despite the 5 years he has spent as a Taliban prisoner.
Saturday, Sgt. Bergdahl was handed over to the special forces of the US army as an exchange for releasing the 5 detainees at a detention facility in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
Other service members that were also routinely missing in action are being promoted just like their peers in the same, consistent schedule. With this, Dempsey stated that now the status of Sgt. Bergdahl was changed, he can re-enter into the service. This only means that requirements for the promotion process should now be much more consistent with the typical duty status as supplied by the Army. Dempsey added that the things required for promotion like proper levels for education as well as job performance will be considered.
A wide range of offenses can pertain to the absence of a soldier without appropriate approval, and there is also a wide range of possible actions that the military can take if such absence occurs. These actions include a trial by the court martial under a desertion investigation conducted by the Uniform Code of Military Justice or the implicated soldier can also receive a non-judicial penalty or punishment to receive a lesser charge. He can also be credited for the time he served when he was still one of the prisoners.
Dempsey also added that he hasn’t spoken yet to Bergdahl and any of his relatives after the release. Members of the unit where Bergdahl was stationed and also military officials complained that his decision for leaving the base without any weapon put the safety of his co-soldiers at risk and that there were soldiers killed in missions including those searching for him.
