Bergdahl's decision was suicidal behavior

On the night of June 30, 2009, U.S. Army Private First Class Bowe Bergdahl disappeared from his post in Afghanistan. The exact details of what happened that night have not been released, and stories about what happened differ depending on who is telling the story. It is believed that Bergdahl was being held by the Taliban, while the White House negotiated his release, which finally happened on May 31, 2010.

Members of Bergdahl's platoon have made statements claiming that the search for him cost the lives of other soldiers involved in the search. The Pentagon claims it cannot directly link the deaths of U.S. soldiers to the search for Bergdahl. Still, while he was missing from his unit, Bergdahl was promoted twice. Soldiers who are captured by the enemy are routinely promoted to make sure their family is able to provide for its needs.

As I think about the members of Bergdahl's platoon I can imagine the anger and anxiety building in the early days of Bergdahl's disappearance from the unit. Then, as it became obvious that this disappearance was not related to enemy action, that anger began to be focused on Bergdahl himself.

Now we hear that the officer tasked with making sentencing recommendations has said that he is not leaning toward a prison sentence or even a punitive discharge. Frankly, I don't care what happens to Bergdahl. What troubles me is that not taking action is an insult to soldiers who serve honorably and take an active role in keeping the unit safe and in completing their missions.

If, for whatever reason, the decision is made not to take punitive action against Bergdahl, then his discharge should reflect a mental health problem. Walking away from your unit in enemy-held territory defies all rational explanations. It is suicidal behavior.

Jack Dragoni attended Boston College and served in the U.S. Army in Berlin and Vietnam. He lives in Chaffee, Missouri.