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.