Bowe Bergdahl Investigation Completed, But Results Will Not Be Released

Bowe Bergdahl, traitor or misguided AWOL soldier? These are the questions circling the mysterious prisoner swap that President Barack Obama made earlier this year. Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl went missing in Afghanistan in 2009, only to surface years later in videos with the Taliban. Five high-level Guantanamo Bay terrorist detainees were traded for Sgt. Bergdahl, according to reports, in what seemed to be a breakaway from American foreign policy of not negotiating with terrorists.

According to reports by The Inquisitr, the swap was deemed illegal, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). In late August, the report from the GAO suggested that the Obama Administration violated the law in two ways. It violated the Department Of Defense Appropriations Act and the Antideficiency Act. One dealing in notification to Congress, and the other in spending money that was not appropriated to do so.

On Thursday, reports suggested that the investigation had finally come to a close, and military officials were reviewing the results. The Hill reported that, despite this fact, the military has refused to release the details of the report. Army spokesman Wayne Hall explained why the information was being withheld.

“Army spokesman Wayne Hall said the review process likely would be lengthy, and that the Army’s priority is ensuring that our process is thorough, factually accurate, impartial, and legally correct.”

The Army is reviewing the report to see whether Bowe Bergdahl deserted his post, or he was “away without leave.” Several soldiers from Sgt. Bergdahl’s unit have come out to criticize the Sargent over the past year for desertion. In fact, one of the members of his unit wrote an op-ed for The Daily Beast, where he explains that Bowe Bergdahl deserted his unit.

“[H]e fled the outpost on foot. He deserted. I’ve talked to members of Bergdahl’s platoon—including the last Americans to see him before his capture. I’ve reviewed the relevant documents. That’s what happened.”

He, like many others in Sgt. Bergdahl’s unit, stopped by several talk show hosts and explained how they had an exhaustive search, which ultimately resulted in the death of some members of the unit.

The Hill reports that if he is found guilty of “desertion” or “being away without leave,” he will lose the money accrued while in captivity. Not to mention the blackeye the Obama Administration will face, but that is not the only potential punishments the military lists.

According to About.com, Bowe Bergdahl could face dishonorable discharge and up to two years “confinement.”

What are your thoughts? Is Bowe Bergdahl a deserter, and should the Army release the Bergdahl report now? Leave your comments below.

[Image Via Sodahead]