U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl will face no time in prison despite pleading guilty to charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.
Bergdahl abandoned his post in 2009 and was then held captive by the Taliban for five years and tortured.
The soldier faced the possibility of life in prison. Prosecutors asked for a 14-year sentence but Bergdahl’s defense team got their request of a dishonorable discharge from the Army.
The defense argued that he likely had an undiagnosed mental illness and “probably should not have been in the Army.”
The prosecution argued that Bergdahl’s actions endangered his fellow soldiers.
A dishonorable discharge carries several consequences similar to being convicted of a felony.
Employers could treat it as a criminal charge making positions of trust difficult, if not impossible, for Bergdahl to obtain.
Bowe won’t be able to receive government benefits of any type such as unemployment, G.I. Bill, government grants, loans or other assistance programs.
Bergdahl will also be unable to vote or possess a firearm.
Even if all the ameliorating elements are factual, this decision just cements in my mind that our “Justice” system, both civilian and military, is now more concerned with protecting the law-breaker than providing justice for those who that individual harmed (or caused to be harmed). This decision is a slap in the face to those soldiers who suffered injuries in trying to locate and rescue someone who had taken an oath to be their comrade in arms. No one can feel that Mr. Bergdahl’s discharge provides justice to his comrades. The request for the 14 year sentence was not extreme…it did take into consideration all the things included in this article…otherwise life in prison or death by firing squad would have been the call. So disappointing that senior Officers could throw “good” soldiers under the bus this way.