When U.S. military personnel are first sworn into the service, they take an oath that binds them to not only the institution, but also their fellow servicemen and women. Nothing is more despised in the military than someone who would desert his brothers and sisters, especially during an active military campaign. The only thing that comes close is releasing five enemy combatants to save the life of a deserter. It's beginning to look like that's just what the Obama administration did when they brought home Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl last year.
The Army announced on Wednesday, March 25 that they were charging Bergdahl with desertion and official misbehavior. After more than a year of investigation, they have determined there is enough evidence to at least bring the military equivalent of grand jury proceedings against a soldier some witnesses say willingly left the Army to join the Taliban. The case will now proceed through the military courts for however long it takes to reach a decision.
There is no guarantee that the charges against Bergdahl will ever be prosecuted. Just like a criminal court, prosecutors could eventually drop the charges or allow Bergdahl to plead. Nevertheless, no matter how it turns out, one thing remains true: saving the life of a deserter was not worth releasing five enemy Taliban.
Desertion Serious Business
In the 2003 Civil War film Gods and Generals (the follow-up to the 1993 Gettysburg blockbuster), there is a very moving scene showing General Jackson meeting with one of his cadets at VMI at the start of the war. This cadet was born in Pennsylvania but felt he owed loyalty to Jackson and the Confederacy. Upon volunteering to fight for the South, Jackson warned the cadet that desertion was not an option. Little does the first-time viewer now how important that warning will be to the story.
Later on in the film, we see General Jackson's assistant approach him to talk about a number of deserters who had been arrested and brought back to camp. Jackson ordered their execution by firing squad, much to the chagrin of the assistant who explained that the young cadet was among them. Jackson was not dissuaded. He went on to give a very eloquent speech explaining why desertion was such a serious crime requiring a serious punishment.
What was true during the days of the Civil War is still true today. The problem is, our wishy-washy culture doesn't have the stomach to deal with the realities of war. We are a society that no longer believes in absolute truth, personal responsibility, loyalty, justice and many of the qualities required of members of the military. We do not understand why deserters should be executed because we do not understand the purpose or position of the military.
Trial by Public Opinion
Some have wondered why it has taken the Army so long to get to this point when other investigations of a similar nature can be completed in a matter of months. The simple truth is that those in charge are trying to balance the risks of upsetting Mr. Obama with the reality that they may have a deserter on their hands. And unfortunately, that may ultimately mean that Bergdahl will not get an honest trial. He may get a trial by public opinion that sees him walk because the Army does not want to upset Obama or the media.
If that indeed ends up being the case, it will be a slap in the face to all of those that have faithfully served throughout the history of the U.S. military. It will be a direct insult to all those who were injured or died fighting alongside Bergdahl in Afghanistan. Moreover, it will be a constant reminder to all future servicemen and women that they may not be able to trust that person next to them in the foxhole because the government no longer prosecutes deserters.
If Mr. Bergdahl is legitimately found innocent after a proper trial, he deserves the respect the verdict affords him. However, if he is found guilty, and that is a big if, he deserves to be punished to the full extent of military law. Otherwise, the oath he took upon entrance into the service is rendered utterly useless.
As for the five Taliban who were set free in order to secure Bergdahl's safety, they couldn't care less what happens to him or his family. You can bet the Taliban would kill them all in a heartbeat if given the opportunity.
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