Bergdahl Faces New Charge in Desertion Case

The charge Bergdhal now faces, in addition to desertion, is “misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place”. While this was a common charge during World War II, it hasn’t been used often since.

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who has been accused by the U.S. Army and soldiers who served with him of abandoning his outpost in Afghanistan back in 2009, has been charged with “misbehavior before the enemy” in addition to desertion.

The “misbehavior” charge, which has seldom been used since World War II, carries a stiffer penalty in Bergdahl’s case when compared to desertion.

Bergdahl was charged with “misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place” and prompting the military to launch search operations,” said the Army in a statement, adding that the charge carries a potential life sentence.

However, USA Today reports that “Legal analysts said it was likely Bergdahl would reach an agreement that would result in a light punishment.”

Soldiers who served with Bergdahl have said that the search for the accused deserter endangered other troops and diverted resources from other units.

Bergdahl has also been accused of “desertion with intent to shirk important or hazardous duty,” a charge that carries a potential five-year sentence, noted the Army statement.

“His case now goes to an Article 32 hearing, which is similar to a grand jury and would recommend whether the case goes to a court martial,” reports USA Today.

Bergdhal’s former platoon mate and the sergeant and team leader of his former unit, the very ones who came forward with Bergdhal’s desertion, welcomed these new charges. Does Berghdal deserve punishment for this act of cowardice? A majority of people believe he does. More details will be known upon his trial.

Source: breitbart.com