Bergdahl Faces Life in Prison for Desertion Charges Amid Surprise Army Recommendation

A top Army commander, Gen. Robert B. Abrams, has recommended that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl face a general court martial for desertion, misbehavior, and endangering troops for his actions in 2009, when he left his battalion and was captured and held prisoner by the Taliban for five years. The referral came as a surprise to many, given that two Army investigators had recommended against such punishment. Bergdahl's defense team, led by Eugene R. Fidell, criticized Abrams for advising the general court martial and said the Army general "did not follow the advice of the preliminary hearing officer who heard the witnesses." The case has sparked controversy, with some arguing that Bergdahl's punishment has already been severe enough, given that he was held prisoner for five years. Others have questioned whether Bergdahl's actions warrant a life sentence.

Key Takeaways:

• Bergdahl faces a general court martial for desertion, misbehavior, and endangering troops for his actions in 2009, when he left his battalion and was captured and held prisoner by the Taliban for five years.
• Gen. Robert B. Abrams, commander of the Army's Forces Command, has recommended that Bergdahl face a general court martial, despite two Army investigators recommending against such punishment.
• Bergdahl's defense team has criticized Abrams for advising the general court martial, arguing that the Army general "did not follow the advice of the preliminary hearing officer who heard the witnesses."
• The maximum punishment under the charges is life in prison, with the possibility of a death sentence, although Army officials have stated that the death penalty is off the table.
• Bergdahl was AWOL for just one day before he was captured by the enemy, and as a prisoner, he attempted to escape multiple times and revealed nothing to his captors.
• Bergdahl will face formal charges at an arraignment in the near future, to be held at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Statistics:

• Bergdahl was held prisoner by the Taliban for five years, from 2009 to 2014.
• No American servicemen or women were killed in the five-year search for Bergdahl.
• Bergdahl's defense team says that he was AWOL for just one day before he was captured by the enemy.
• The maximum sentence Bergdahl faces is life in prison if convicted of desertion.
• Conviction on the misbehavior charge allows for a life sentence.

Sources:

• UPI: "Bergdahl might face life in prison for desertion: Army commander"
• Associated Press: "Bergdahl's defense team criticizes Army general's recommendation"
• The Serial podcast: "Bowe Bergdahl's Story" (interview with Mark Boal)