Army begins Bergdahl investigation
Last edited Mon Jun 16, 2014, 03:31 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: The Hill
By Kristina Wong - 06/16/14 01:47 PM EDT
The Army has begun its investigation into the details of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's disappearance from his base and subsequent capture by the Taliban in 2009.
"The Army has appointed as the investigating officer Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, an Army officer with Afghanistan combat experience," the service said Monday in a statement.
The Obama administration released five senior Taliban commanders who were held in the Guantanamo Bay prison to secure the release of Bergdahl, who had been held captive for five years. He arrived in San Antonio on Friday.
The swap has drawn fierce criticism from lawmakers. some who served with Bergdahl say the 28-year-old sergeant deserted his post, which would be punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
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Read more: http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/209497-army-begins-bergdahl-investigation#ixzz34pHSu8NJ
The Army has initiated its investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the disappearance and capture of Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl from Combat Outpost Mest-Lalak in Paktika Province, Afghanistan on or about June 30, 2009. The Army has appointed as the investigating officer Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, an Army officer with Afghanistan combat experience.
The primary function of this investigation, as in any other investigation, is to ascertain facts and report them to the appointing authority. These types of investigations are not uncommon and serve to establish the facts on the ground following an incident. The investigating officer will have access to previously gathered documentary evidence, including the 2009 investigation.
The Army's top priority remains Sgt. Bergdahl's health and reintegration. We ask that everyone respect the time and privacy necessary to accomplish the objectives of the last phase of reintegration. The investigating officer will not interview Sgt. Bergdahl until the reintegration team clears such interaction, so no timeline for completion of the investigation has been set.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/army-investigation-bergdahl-disappearance
groundloop
(11,519 posts)IMO this is being handled properly. First we get our POW (Sgt. Bergdahl) back from captivity, and then learn the facts surrounding his disappearance.
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)that were part of the unit are going to get scrutinized too, closely.
jmowreader
(50,557 posts)Reports indicate the command climate in his outfit was not good - the platoon leader and platoon sergeant he had when he arrived had been relieved for cause, three other sergeants were reassigned...if a soldier did something bad enough, the Army has the option to recall him to active duty for punishment, and if things were as bad as I've read, this will happen in the Bergdahl case.
underthematrix
(5,811 posts)NOT once but several times. Why the Army left him in Iraq? Very strange