Bowe Bergdahl gets dishonorable discharge but no prison time for abandoning post

SFC Shirley Whitfield - History is repeating it happens in each generation.

SFC Shirley Whitfield - We can only continue to support our military and hope for things to get better.

I caught a lot of flak when I wrote that we, as Americans, were obligated to facilitate his release from Talliban, or whoever had him. I swore with fellow soldiers before I became an NCO that I would never leave one of them behind. After I became an NCO, I promised all of my soldiers that I would never leave one of them behind. We were RECON, so our leaders were the closest thing to God they they could tangibly hold onto, and because I often had to order them to do things that they might not survive, it was important. If I were to send them to do something that might kill them, they gained confidence that if they died, they would at the least return home. I think that a very important factor in how they accomplish any task I assigned. That being said, when I first read that Bergdahl was MIA, I followed what news I could get. Later, I found out he had been captured. We, as fellow Americans, were obligated to facilitate his return at what ever cost, short of more lives. 5 terrorist's freedom, or 50, I didn't care. We'll catch them again later. Once he was returned, the game had changed. IF YOU DESERT YOUR POST WILLINGLY, YOU MAY FACE A FIRING SQUAD. So, now I ask, how did that change into "You were treated badly when you got what you asked for", no further punishment necessary. He plead guilty to treasonous charges, to take "Death by Firing Squad" off of the table. WTF? I just don't get the final outcome. My rant is over. RED4 OUT!

No one knows "how" he was treated during his time with the enemy nor what kind of information he may have provided them that may have cost many other American lives and injuries.
This Nance, the military presiding officer should resign his commission and go join some "bleeding-heart" liberal organization. I can't understand why a military officer who thinks his men are in danger gives the order to fire and is now serving time in Leavenworth because he failed to follow the rules of engagement (as ridiculous as Obama made them) and a dirt bag traitor and deserter like Bergdahl is free to walk our streets.
They need to get rid of the J in UCMJ because "now" there is no justice.

A mistake that will have long term consequences. It set a very bad precedent!

Capt Jeff S. - That's the problem with most knee jerk reactions, they are based on emotion not fact.

I agree completely. The punishment most certainly did not fit his crime. Pretty sure "Badkarma" will be heading his way in the near future.

Bad karma isn't my biggest concern. I am more concerned about a friend/comrade of someone that was maimed or killed searching for him deciding at some point in the future deciding Bergdahl is due to pay for his crimes, and jumping in for vengeance. At that point, there will be the atrocities of Bergdahl, the death or injuries of rescue soldiers and their families and loved ones, and the punishment of the collecting soldier. A crime is a crime, no matter the motivating factors. I would think that a friend of a victim will not get the same discount as the offender he went to vindicate. It was not a just punishment.