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Freddie Stubbs

(29,853 posts)
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:18 PM Jun 2014

Bergdahl Walked Away Before, Military Report Says

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — A classified military report detailing the Army’s investigation into the disappearance of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in June 2009 says that he had wandered away from assigned areas before — both at a training range in California and at his remote outpost in Afghanistan — and then returned, according to people briefed on it.

The roughly 35-page report, completed two months after Sergeant Bergdahl left his unit, concludes that he most likely walked away of his own free will from his outpost in the darkness of night, and it criticized lax security practices and poor discipline within his unit. But it stops short of concluding that there is solid evidence that Sergeant Bergdahl intended to permanently desert.

Whether Sergeant Bergdahl was a deserter who never intended to come back, or simply slipped away for a short adventure amid an environment of lax security and discipline and then was captured is one of many unanswered questions about his disappearance.

The issue is murky, the report said, in light of Sergeant Bergdahl’s previous episodes of walking off. The report cites accounts from his unit mates that in their predeployment exercise at the Army’s National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., he sneaked or crawled off a designated course or range either to see how far he could go or to see a sunrise or sunset.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/06/world/asia/bowe-bergdahl-walked-away-before-military-report-says.html

33 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Bergdahl Walked Away Before, Military Report Says (Original Post) Freddie Stubbs Jun 2014 OP
So he went on a walk about. Big deal. gerogie2 Jun 2014 #1
Um, no. This is a HUGE deal. Big_Mike Jun 2014 #25
Post removed Post removed Jun 2014 #30
Explains why the Army can't charge him officially with desertion until they determine TwilightGardener Jun 2014 #2
Leaked by whom? blackspade Jun 2014 #3
With this type of behavior the Army should have never sent him. Iliyah Jun 2014 #4
And yet, the report says he was positively viewed as a good soldier--by TwilightGardener Jun 2014 #5
Exactly. OneCrazyDiamond Jun 2014 #6
When I was in Vietnam it was not unheard of for a GI to slip out through the perimeter Bandit Jun 2014 #7
It happens a lot. My husband served a tour in Korea, and there were always TwilightGardener Jun 2014 #13
Korea is not Afghanistan.... giftedgirl77 Jun 2014 #27
While they were in South Korea, not enemy North Reter Jun 2014 #31
I met a guy in boot camp who slipped out to the EM club. rickford66 Jun 2014 #26
He sounds like he was never properly assessed mentally and/or prepared for this type of warfare. blm Jun 2014 #8
Once again the late Michael Hastings article from Rolling Stones Historic NY Jun 2014 #9
I just read that this morning...all I have to say is WOW!!!! all american girl Jun 2014 #17
Interesting and it would be great if his fellow soldiers would wait until he came home to look into Jefferson23 Jun 2014 #10
Yeah, this kid will probably get NJP. MADem Jun 2014 #11
Seems to me rickyhall Jun 2014 #12
This message was self-deleted by its author OKNancy Jun 2014 #14
NYTimes keeps trying even after their story about Bergdahl's leaving a note sinkingfeeling Jun 2014 #15
how about to go to the latrine? Taliban said they got him before he had a chance to use toilet paper Sunlei Jun 2014 #16
Ambian Sleep Walking? Lochloosa Jun 2014 #18
Bergdahl had left his unit before, but returned: sources Judi Lynn Jun 2014 #19
This is actually a pretty significant piece of information imho. riderinthestorm Jun 2014 #20
Yea, this is starting to make some sense. sulphurdunn Jun 2014 #21
I agree but this will be spun into "collaboration " underpants Jun 2014 #28
He probably heard about how to do that from W in a previous war. mnhtnbb Jun 2014 #22
Oh, yeah! Very likely. Good post. n/t Judi Lynn Jun 2014 #23
Is NYT not allowed to use the wikileaks files? They took him off the latrine! Sunlei Jun 2014 #24
Wow, is that real dialogue? Ash_F Jun 2014 #32
sure its real though I'm sure some is translated f., wikileaks files are online for everyone to see. Sunlei Jun 2014 #33
All of this is pure speculative bullshit, I understand giftedgirl77 Jun 2014 #29
 

gerogie2

(450 posts)
1. So he went on a walk about. Big deal.
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:20 PM
Jun 2014

The right wingers want to put him before a firing squad and they are also calling him a member of the Taliban.

Big_Mike

(509 posts)
25. Um, no. This is a HUGE deal.
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 08:52 PM
Jun 2014

Couple of glaring problems here:

1. You don't go on "walkabout" when you are in the military, particularly at the National Training Center. Since live rounds are used in various portions of the training areas, and a young soldier would have no idea which areas are for what purpose, he risks his life if he wanders off. The Observer Controllers (OCs) who referee the exercises there monitor accountability of each and every unit/person in that unit before training kicks off. It is not just that he could be shot. Aircraft could drop bombs close to his position, artillery could land nearby, explosives could go off, or he could simply be bit by a snake. Even with people trying their best to train safely, there are a few fatalities there every year. For some idiot to walk off for whatever reason is beyond belief, particularly in airborne infantry outfit. His squad leader and platoon sergeant should have instilled a very, very lasting lesson on his body and soul via remedial training regarding leaving his proper location under any circumstances. If he had worked for me, he would have likely done 5000 - 10000 pushups (10 or 20 pushups a time) during the interval between the end of exercise at Ft. Irwin and arrival at his FOB in Afghanistan.

2. Without discipline, an army is only a very well armed, extremely fit gang. You must be in the proper place, at the proper time, in the proper uniform in order to accomplish your mission. Even if the mission is stirring burning shit. Frankly, this young person really needs to explain why he left. Then, he should be punished for leaving. The reason for his departure will influence the severity of his punishment. If it was a brain dead reason, but not intentional desertion, reduce him to the lowest enlisted grade and toss him out with a Bad Conduct Discharge, but no incarceration. If he intended to desert, then Dishonorably Discharge him, strip him of all pay and benefits, and confine him for 10 - 20 years. THIS TYPE ACTION CANNOT BE TOLERATED IN A MILITARY SERVICE!

In my opinion, given my service for 20 years as a Combat Arms NCO, I would have tried to correct his actions at a low level with the tools authorized a NCO; but by the second instance he should have been given an Article 15 with additional attention paid to his location/activities. Now, he needs to be tried; if convicted, he should sentenced according to the Manual for Courts Martial.

Response to Big_Mike (Reply #25)

TwilightGardener

(46,416 posts)
2. Explains why the Army can't charge him officially with desertion until they determine
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:22 PM
Jun 2014

from his statements (if he can make them) whether he intended to return to base. Also explains why he must be given benefit of the doubt and treated as any other soldier until the facts are all known.

TwilightGardener

(46,416 posts)
5. And yet, the report says he was positively viewed as a good soldier--by
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:33 PM
Jun 2014

some of the same people criticizing him now. My questions: What changed? Did the unit (noted for poor discipline) get reamed out for his disappearance by higher-ups and they took revenge?

OneCrazyDiamond

(2,029 posts)
6. Exactly.
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:35 PM
Jun 2014

If he displayed this behavior, why send him to the front of the front.....oh yeah Ex-Pres Shrubbery The Second.

Bandit

(21,475 posts)
7. When I was in Vietnam it was not unheard of for a GI to slip out through the perimeter
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:38 PM
Jun 2014

to visit some girls for sex and or drugs. In fact it was fairly common. There always seemed to be hole in the wire one could use to get outside the perimeter. Some guys would actually spend a couple of days if they had no duty to report for. No one was ever called a deserter.

TwilightGardener

(46,416 posts)
13. It happens a lot. My husband served a tour in Korea, and there were always
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:55 PM
Jun 2014

young airmen out looking for a good time and getting into trouble for it.

 

Reter

(2,188 posts)
31. While they were in South Korea, not enemy North
Sun Jun 8, 2014, 12:00 PM
Jun 2014

Also not sure how you anyone can have a "good time" in Afghanistan, since the Taliban banned music, liquor, and even dancing.

rickford66

(5,498 posts)
26. I met a guy in boot camp who slipped out to the EM club.
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 09:14 PM
Jun 2014

He was sent back to our company from the one ahead of us. He slipped out a few nights and then was reassigned to the company after ours. He may still be there after 40 some years. Just keep getting sent back.

blm

(112,919 posts)
8. He sounds like he was never properly assessed mentally and/or prepared for this type of warfare.
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:38 PM
Jun 2014

And he is not the ONLY one to act like this...just the only one that got captured by the enemy while acting like this.

all american girl

(1,788 posts)
17. I just read that this morning...all I have to say is WOW!!!!
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 02:21 PM
Jun 2014

That was one messed up unit. I can't wait to ask my husband about it when he gets home from work. His mind will explode.

I've been so confused by the article. It states that Bergduhl asked if he could take his weapon and gear outside the perimeter, was told no, he would have to leave it....what? Are you kidding me? I wonder if some of the soldiers did this shit, but he was the only one who got caught...the person he asked didn't even to seem to care.

I think there was some hinkiness going on and the soldiers that have turned on him may be scared he will talk...

Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
10. Interesting and it would be great if his fellow soldiers would wait until he came home to look into
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:47 PM
Jun 2014

everything before they declare him a traitor.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
11. Yeah, this kid will probably get NJP.
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:53 PM
Jun 2014

I think he's a "low quality recruit" and they could simply give him an administrative discharge and take an ounce of (non-judicial) punishment if they absolutely must.

I don't think the GOP will have the public scourging they are so eagerly seeking based on this material, though.

What's funny is this--IF Obama decided to courts martial the kid, and came down on him hard, we KNOW, for certain, that the GOP would start screaming that the Commander in Chief was being "too hard" on a soldier that endured five years of captivity.

In sum, whatever Obama does, they do the opposite. The bozos swing like weathervanes!!!!

Response to Freddie Stubbs (Original post)

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
16. how about to go to the latrine? Taliban said they got him before he had a chance to use toilet paper
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 02:16 PM
Jun 2014

from wiki leaks files.

Judi Lynn

(160,211 posts)
19. Bergdahl had left his unit before, but returned: sources
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 05:16 PM
Jun 2014

Bergdahl had left his unit before, but returned: sources
By Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON Thu Jun 5, 2014 5:00pm EDT


(Reuters) - A U.S. military investigation of Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl's capture by the Taliban found he had slipped away from his unit before but had always returned, raising questions about whether or not he was deserting when he disappeared in 2009, people familiar with the findings said on Thursday.

Bergdahl, 28, was freed after five years as an Afghanistan war prisoner on Saturday when the Obama administration agreed to release five Taliban leaders from Guantanamo prison in exchange, a deal that touched off a firestorm of criticism.

Some soldiers who served in Afghanistan have accused Bergdahl of deserting from his remote outpost in the eastern region of the country on June 30, 2009, but the Pentagon has said publicly that the circumstances were unclear.

The people familiar with classified findings said investigators learned that Bergdahl, who was broadly portrayed as dissatisfied with the deployment in Afghanistan, had slipped away in the past, only to return a short while later. He did this once while undergoing military training in California, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

Friends and neighbors in Bergdahl's hometown of Hailey, Idaho, noted similar behavior before he joined the Army, saying the bookish, athletic youth was known for abruptly taking long hikes to Ketchem, about 18 miles away, with no prior notice.

More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/05/us-usa-afghanistan-bergdahl-idUSKBN0EG2RQ20140605

 

riderinthestorm

(23,272 posts)
20. This is actually a pretty significant piece of information imho.
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 05:30 PM
Jun 2014

For those who want to paint him as a deserter, instead it sounds as though he's taken spontaneous walks before and always returned.

K&R

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
24. Is NYT not allowed to use the wikileaks files? They took him off the latrine!
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 05:30 PM
Jun 2014

They got him off the latrine, he was held very close. Bergdahl came so close to death. Note the one comment "cut off his head"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
link- http://wikileaks.org/afg/event/2009/06/AFG20090630n1790.html

UPDATE: 01 0234z LLVI TRAFFIC REPORT:

163.2125/0227Z/42SVB4076446756 0.47KM X 0.16KM AZ 95.8/1- I SWEAR THAT I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING YET. WHAT HAPPENED. IS THAT TRUE THAT THEY CAPTURED AN AMERICAN GUY?
2- YES THEY DID. HE IS ALIVE. THERE IS NO WHERE HE CAN GO (LOL)
1- IS HE STILL ALIVE? 2- YES HE IS ALIVE. BUT I DONT HAVE THE WHOLE STORY. DONT KNOW IF THEY WERE FIGHTING. ALL I KNOW IF THEY WERE FIGHTIING. ALL I KNOW THAT THEY CAPTURE HIM ALIVE AND THEY ARE WITH HIM RIGHT NOW.

UPDATE: 0237z LLVI TRAFFIC FROM FIELD TEAM: Freq-168.65 LOB-135 SS-26 UIM SAYS "CUT THE HEAD OFF"


UPDATE: 0433z LLVI TRAFFIC FROM C3 plt AT BAKI KHEL LLVI SUGGESTS THAT THE AMERICAN SOLDIER IS WITHIN TWO KM. BOLO FOR ANY WHITE VEHICLES

UPDATE: 0610z LLVI TRAFFIC FROM REDRIDGE: freq 162.1 1- W ARE READY FOR THEM. 2- ALL THE NUMBERS ARE MESS IT. WE ARE WWAITING FOR THEM. 1- LOL THEY KNOW WHERE HE IS BUT THEY KEEP GOING TO WRONG AREA. 2- OK SET UP THE WORK FOR THEM. 1- YES WE HAVE A LOT OF IED ON THE ROAD. 2- GOD WILLING WE WILL DO IT. 1- WE WERE ATTACKING THE POST HE WAS SITTING TAKING EXPLETIVE HE HAD NO GUN WITH HIM. HE WAS TAKING EXPLETIVE, HE HAS NOT CLEANED HIS BUTT YET. 2- WHAT SHEAM FOR THEM. 1- I DONT THINK HE W 2-YES LOOK THEY HAVE ALL AMERICANS, ANA HELICOPTERS THE PLANES ARE LOOKING FOR HIM. 1- I THINK HE IS BIG SHOT THAT WHY THEY ARE LOOKING FOR HIM. 3-CAN YOU GUYS MAKE A VIDEO OF HIM AND ANNOUNCE IT ALL OVER AFGHANISTAN THAT WE HAVE ONE OF THE AMERICANS. 1- WE ALREADY HAVE A VIDEO OF HIM.

UPDATE: 0633z APACHE RED1 1-40CAV HEELS UP ENROUTE TO GRID VB 625 216

UPDATE: 0643z REDRIDGE IS OFF STATION ATT

UPDATE: 0645z OUTBREAK 70 REPORTS APACHE RED1 IS 7 MIN OUT FROM HLZ FALCON

UPDATE: 0650z DUDE 03 ON STATION 2 X F15s

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
33. sure its real though I'm sure some is translated f., wikileaks files are online for everyone to see.
Sun Jun 8, 2014, 09:36 PM
Jun 2014

Its people of one country very familiar with their country, very used to being occupied vs Americans on the ground with 'enemy' everywhere & anywhere. Much safer to use drones imo.

Some of the really funny wikileak files are the diplomatic cables (emails) where a US diplo. complains about eating crappy boiled meat dinners in Russia.

 

giftedgirl77

(4,713 posts)
29. All of this is pure speculative bullshit, I understand
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 09:23 PM
Jun 2014

that everyone wants to know what happened & I can guarantee multiple investigations occured at the time he went missing & more are underway now. But all this finger pointing & guessing now to fit people's agendas is just dumb.

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