What are your thoughts on Private Bergdahl's defense of being a whistle blower?

2015-03-30T10:37:48-04:00

Do you think that Private Bergdahl's Defense of being a whistle blower is justified.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/29/politics/bowe-bergdahl-defense-disputed-by-platoon/index.html

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-03-30T10:40:52-04:00

His Defense is complete and total crap. He was no whistle blower he was a deserter and this defense is a last desperate gasp for a man who knows he will probably be convicted.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2015 10:53 PM

2015-04-04T22:53:27-04:00

This is from " This Ain't Hell But It's Close"

Bergdahl’s lawyers; How Did This Boob Get In The Army Anyway
April 4, 2015
Bergdahl and pal
According to Military.com, lawyers have switched gears from him leaving his post to report his platoon’s leadership for malfeasance to wondering how the Army allowed him to enlist in the first place;

[Eugene Fidell, Bergdahl’s lead lawyer] said that “given the circumstances surrounding Sgt. Bergdahl’s entry-level separation from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Army’s subsequent decision to enlist him with a waiver was improvident.”

Bergdahl was discharged from the Coast Guard in 2006 after only 26 days in basic training, reportedly because of his psychological state. In his letter, Fidell described Bergdahl as “naïve and at times unrealistic.”

Bergdahl joined the Army in 2008 at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In that same year, the Army War College reported that as many as one in five recruits was allowed to enlist with a waiver for health or other reasons, including arrest records.

The Washington Post last June, citing a senior Army official, reported that the Army was aware of Bergdahl’s previous administrative discharge from the Coast Guard when he joined.

Well, 2008 wasn’t “at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan”. The surge in Iraq had ended…quite successfully, I might add. “Naïve and at times unrealistic” doesn’t disqualify recruits, unless there’s something new. I’m sure that it wouldn’t require a waiver, though. The lawyers are just grasping at straws now, and they look pretty funny doing it. Before he was Bergdah’s lawyer, Fidell was advocating that Bergdahl shouldn’t be punished at all, you know, despite the fact that US troops died looking for his criminal ass.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2015 12:36 AM

2015-04-05T00:36:47-04:00

I think it is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard to try and get out of trouble. Of course these days people say and do anything to divert the attention off of them and unfortunately Seniors will look into the silly idea.

I just wish they would bring him to trial quickly and get this over with. I heard they may hold off until this administration has changed so as to save the embarrassment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2015 12:46 AM

2015-04-05T00:46:38-04:00

I don't know how he thought we would hear his whistling from his defector position with his captures. I don't understand what part of his story could be considered whistle blowery. He reportedly left a base trying to join enemies to get him out of country... was detained for years... Then got traded back to us... Hmmm. That story doesn't include a whistle, that I can see anyways.