US Army commander approves Bowe Bergdahl sentence, no prison time

WASHINGTON — A senior U.S. military commander is endorsing the decision to spare Army Pvt. Bowe Bergdahl prison time for abandoning his post in Afghanistan, endangering military comrades who participated in the lengthy search for him.

Army Gen. Robert Abrams, head of U.S. Army Forces Command, approved the court-martial sentencing handed down last November. Bergdahl was reduced in rank from sergeant to private and ordered to forfeit $1,000 a month in pay for 10 months. The judge also gave him a dishonorable discharge.

RELATED

Army to determine if Bergdahl is owed back pay for his time in captivity

When Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl came home in 2014, he was potentially entitled to hundreds of thousands of dollars in pay that accumulated over five years while he was in Taliban captivity in Afghanistan.

By Meghann Myers

The fine and rank reduction were effective two weeks after the judge’s sentence was delivered. The case is now referred to the Army Court of Criminal Appeals at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, which automatically reviews any punitive discharges.

Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban and held for five years.

In Other News

108-year-old original Montford Point Marine honored for his service

Cosmas D. Eaglin Sr. was recognized for his years of dedicated service across three military conflicts.

Key Islamic State leader killed in US military operation in Somalia

No U.S. troops or civilians were harmed in the operation.

How Area 51 became a hotbed for conspiracy theories

The conspiracies about aliens out of Area 51 began more than 75 years ago.

In homicide trial, Marine Raiders’ defense seeks other causes of death

Defense lawyers worked to sow doubt about the prosecution’s theory that former Green Beret Rick Rodriguez died because of his head injury.

Enrollments in VA medical care spiked after PACT Act passage last year

Department leaders say the are confident the increases won't lead to longer wait times for appointments.

Load More