SAN ANTONIO (AP) – The officer who led the investigation of Bowe Bergdahl’s disappearance and capture in Afghanistan six years ago says he doesn’t think the Army sergeant should go to prison.
Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dahl testified Friday at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio that Bergdahl said he walked away from his post as part of a plan to spark a search and get the attention of a general so he could express his concerns about his unit’s leadership. Dahl told a packed courtroom that Bergdahl felt the problems were so severe that they put his platoon in danger, but that Bergdahl’s perceptions were “completely off the mark.”
Dahl said Bergdahl had an elaborate plan to head from his post to the forward operating base roughly 19 miles away, expecting to arrive while a search was underway and to create a “PR event” that might get a general to listen to him.
“He felt it was his duty to intervene,” said Dahl, who described Bergdahl as having few friends but who seemed motivated to help others.
He concluded his statements by saying he doesn’t think Bergdahl should serve time in jail.