More than half a year after his Memorial Day release in a swap with the Taliban, the Defense Department is referring Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s case to a General Courts Martial Convening Authority.
Gen. Mark Milley, commanding general of Forces Command, “will determine appropriate action – which ranges from no further action to convening a court martial,” the Pentagon said in a brief statement yesterday, adding that “a thorough investigation and a comprehensive legal review” has been conducted.
“The Army cannot discuss or disclose the findings of the investigation while disciplinary decisions are pending before commanders,” the statement added.
Taken in 2009, Bergdahl was the only American POW held by the Taliban. They received five high-level prisoners from the U.S. in exchange for his return.
In an interview aired Sunday on CNN, President Obama wouldn’t comment on whether Bergdahl will face a court-martial for desertion.
“You know, that’s going to be up to our military justice system. That’s not something that the commander in chief gets involved in,” Obama replied.
When asked if he’d even seen the report, Obama responded, “It’s not something that I comment on or get involved with.”
Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said Friday that the Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was just being briefed on the results of the investigation.
“This is an Army investigation and we’re going to, you know, obviously, refer people to the Army to speak to it,” Kirby said.
“We, as the department, and certainly I think comfortable in speaking for the Army in this regard, that they’re not going to go any faster than — than they need to go in terms of process,” he added.
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