Bergdahl To Possibly Be Charged With Desertion

Good thing we exchanged him for 5 hardcore Taliban members, eh?

(NBC News) Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was held captive by enemy forces in Afghanistan for five years, will likely be charged with desertion, senior defense officials tell NBC News.

The officials point out that Bergdahl will likely face a lesser charge of desertion described in the Uniform Code of Military Justice as leaving a post to avoid duty or shirk an important assignment, based on his actions when he left a remote outpost in June 2009.

Those charges carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison upon conviction, but sources tell NBC News the Army is considering crediting Bergdahl for the 5 years he spent in captivity and be given the opportunity to avoid prosecution by leaving the Army with a “less than honorable discharge.”

If accepted, Bergdahl could be denied as much as $300,000 in back pay and benefits and be reduced in rank from Sergeant to Private First Class or lower.

It does seem that the charges are being lowered, most likely for political reasons, ie, in order to minimize the damage to Obama. An Air Force commander told the Army Times that no decision has been made as of yet, but, I think we can all see the writing on the wall.

Let’s also not forget that the prisoner swap was deemed illegal by the GAO.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove. Follow me on Twitter @WilliamTeach.

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