King
I will answer as directly and specifically as I can.
King said Please correct me if the difference of opinions here is US handling of his release, five-for-one when he should be left to the enemy to determine his fate, speculation of Bergdahl getting off too lightly for leaving his post, and my preference to hold my opinion---give him slack---until I know how his head is working, PTSD etc.
Dont know what you are asking. I cant speak for their opinions. If you are asking why there is a difference of opinions , its probably because some of us are more literal thinkers in this area.
King said Lets assume he is a deserter. We dont know his state of mind at the time or now. He may have lacked the moral fibre to see him through his duty. He may have felt himself a late conscientious objector complicit in a role of occupying invader killing an enemy fighting for his country---and thousands of innocents as collateral damage.
There is no assuming he wasnt kidnapped, it wasnt an alpine abduction. He walked off his post. Thats desertion. His state of mind? If that is the litmus test to determine if he should be punuished, then lets apply that to child molesters, murderers and rapists. That is a cop out.
King said This is no apologia for desertion. I dont know military or national obligations to bring home fighters, dead or alive, deserters or not. My guess is governments and the military code are obligated to a very high standard to do so according to Israels brave example and the current bartering of lives. Even the IS caliphate is bartering state to state.
The UCMJ (uniform code of military justice) doesnt specify any obligation on the US Military to bring back deserters.
King said: So what to do with Bergdahl? I believe he was promoted while a POW. I believe the US was obligated to bring him home no matter what. There's no justification to punish him more severely than other soldiers who put their units at risk or visited shame on their country. I encourage members to google "US military atrocities" and make up their own minds.
Until his status was known, he continues to get promoted like he was back in his unit. He gets all back pay and allowances. But if he is found guilty of desertion, he loses everything. The presumption if innocence until proven guilty.
The US has no obligation to bring home deserters. We left a bunch in Korea after 53.
MAJ Nadal Hassan continued to get paid in excess of 100K a year for the 4+years it took for his trial.
What does previous US Military atrocities have to do with Bergdahls desertion. Apples to oranges. Each case is judged on its own merits. Not even in the same ballpark. Why would you make that comparison.
Using your logic of . There's no justification to punish him more severely than other soldiers who put their units at risk or visited shame on their country then there should be no range of sentences for crimes. The guy who shoots someone in self defense and gets convicted of 2nd degree murder and the guy who is a DWI and kills a family; both get the same sentence? Makes no sense.
I think I answered directly and specifically. Please provide the same with any response s
