The very strange case of Sgt. Bergdahl

[MillCreek]

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/09/24/443071030/the-very-strange-case-of-sgt-bowe-bergdahl?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20150924

Apparently the concept of contacting the Inspector General did not occur to him.

[AJ Dual]

He definitely had a screw loose. And I'll grant a grain of salt for his backwoods/hippy Alaskan/Idaho upbringing that might have left him somewhat handicapped in his ability to understand the norms of mainstream American life.

But I'm guessing the military standard for an insanity defense is similar to the civilian one. You don't merely have to be "crazy", but you have to be "so crazy you don't know what you're doing is wrong".

That he had to sneak out at night and not tell anyone what he was doing kind of confirms that.

I'll also note he's had YEARS to figure out his exact story that gave him the least amount of criminal culpability, if it's accepted at face-value under the UCMJ.

[Scout26]

If they can't even get the fact that a 1SG would not be at the platoon level, I have to wonder what else they got wrong in that story.  Oh wait, it's NPR, so none of it other then the names are accurate.


Also commanders at every level have an Open Door policy.  All he had to do was ask to see the Company, Battalion, Brigade or Division commander and he would have been on the next chopper flight out. (and then the subsequent one back), or to see the IG.  Or write a farking letter to any of them or if you really want the *expletive deleted*it to hit the fan to you your congressman or senator.  IIRC, he also had e-mail/internet access to contact any one of those individuals.

And yes, the whys and hows of contacting the IG is a mandatory yearly training requirement.  

So his "I was going to the big FOB to tell on my leaders" is a giant, steaming crock of bull chips.

And yes, I'm sure he tried to escape twelve times.  Once he figured out he had phoucked up royally.

[roo_ster]

Also commanders at every level have an Open Door policy.  All he had to do was ask to see the Company, Battalion, Brigade or Division commander

Had a buddy do that with a serious un-addressed situation and it actually worked.  Well, mostly. 

[Perd Hapley]

Isn't it about time he "self-identified," a la Bradley Manning?

[vaskidmark]

Had a buddy do that with a serious un-addressed situation and it actually worked.  Well, mostly. 

Didn't make me actually golden in Boot Camp but it put the brakes on - hard - concerning certain behaviors by the DIs.  They did try to single me out for retribution but the LT and CAPT were paranoid enough to keep an eye on them and remind them there was already enough documented to lose a stripe or two.

Now I never abused the situation  and did make it out without having to recycle.

But I knew the ropes going in.  If your beef is righteous it will be addressed.  Don't abuse the fact (too much) that you now have the ear of higher up the food chain.  It takes but one little screw-up to undo a mountain of atta-boys.

What I can't buy is that this PFC had serious concerns about leadership that were NOT being shared with anyone and everyone by whining and moaning.  Keeping to yourself the fear that your leaders are going to get you killed takes a lot of willpower.

stay safe.

[wmenorr67]

I would feel better about the claim if he hadn't shipped all his *expletive deleted*it home to mommy and daddy and his daddy hadn't pulled the I'm a Muslim act when sonny boy was released.