NewsNational News

Actions

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl to be charged with desertion

<p><strong>"Formally charged Sgt. Bergdahl ... with desertion with intent to shirk important or hazardous duty,"</strong> <a href="http://www.c-span.org/video/?325022-1/us-army-press-conference-fort-bragg-bowe-bergdahl-charges&live=" target="_blank">said Col. Daniel J.W. King</a> at a press conference.</p><p>The U.S. Army <a href="http://www.c-span.org/video/?325022-1/us-army-press-conference-fort-bragg-bowe-bergdahl-charges&live=" target="_blank">announced Wednesday</a> it's charging Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy for abandoning his post in 2009.</p><p>This comes after the Army reviewed an investigation into the events surrounding Bergdahl's 2009 capture by the Taliban after he was accused of leaving his base in Afghanistan. (Video via <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/31/world/asia/afghanistan-bergdahl-release/index.html?hpt=hp_t1" target="_blank">U</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agNXSf0a46Q&feature=youtube_gdata" target="_blank">.S. Army</a>)</p><p>Bergdahl was held by the Taliban in Afghanistan before the U.S. traded his release for five Taliban prisoners. (Video via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agNXSf0a46Q&feature=youtube_gdata" target="_blank">U.S. Army</a>)</p><p><strong>"According to officials, on the night Bergdahl walked away from his post, he was scheduled to walk guard duty at that remote outpost at dawn,"</strong> <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/bowe-bergdahl-face-desertion-charges" target="_blank">MSNBC correspondent Jim Miklaszewski</a> reported. </p><p>In May 2014, the Obama administration freed those five Taliban detainees held at Guantanamo in exchange for Bergdahl's release. (Video via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm6u4voY44g" target="_blank">The White House</a>)</p><p>The <a href="http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/Military_Law/pdf/MCM-2012.pdf" target="_blank">Manual for Courts-Martial United States</a> says the maximum punishment for desertion with intent to avoid hazardous duty includes<strong> "dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and confinement for five years."</strong></p><p><strong>"Misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place carries a maximum potential penalty of a dishonorable discharge, reduction of rank to E1, total forfeiture of all pay and allowances and possible confinement for life,"</strong> <a href="http://www.c-span.org/video/?325022-1/us-army-press-conference-fort-bragg-bowe-bergdahl-charges&live=" target="_blank">said King</a>.</p><p>Bergdahl <a href="http://www.c-span.org/video/?325022-1/us-army-press-conference-fort-bragg-bowe-bergdahl-charges&live=" target="_blank">will now face</a> a preliminary hearing, similar to a civilian grand jury, which will be announced at a later date. Following that preliminary hearing and recommendations, the report will be forwarded to a General Courts Martial Convening Authority, which will decide what to do with the charges.</p>
Posted
and last updated

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will be charged with desertion and avoiding military service, according to The Associated Press. He also will be charged with misbehavior before the enemy.

In a Wednesday press conference, U.S. Army public affairs officer Col. Daniel King said a preliminary hearing will be held at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas at a later date.

The proceedings are similar to a grand jury and will determine a court martial will take place.

The maximum punishments for Bergdahl include dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay and confinement up to life.

The Taliban captured Bergdahl in Afghanistan after leaving he left his post. According to TIME, six soldiers died searching for him.

Bergdahl was released as part of a prisoner exchange after being held by the Taliban for five years.

Do you think the U.S. should have traded for Bergdahl? Vote below: