That directly from General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
Dempsey also told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from his plane that Bergdahl’s next promotion to staff sergeant, which was set to happen soon, is no longer automatic because Bergdahl
isn’t missing in action any longer. Speaking publicly for the first time about the case, Dempsey said he does not want to prejudge the outcome of any investigation or say anything that might influence a commander’s decision.
But he said U.S. military leaders “have been accused of looking away from misconduct, and it’s premature” to assume they would do so in Bergdahl’s case, despite the soldier’s five years as a Taliban prisoner.
...
There are a variety of offenses related to an absence without proper approval, and a number of potential actions could be taken by the military. He could be tried by court martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for desertion; he could be given a non-judicial punishment for a lesser charge, such as being away without leave. And he could be given credit for time already served while he was a prisoner.
Dempsey stressed that any decision would be up to the Army.
The more we learn about the Bergdahl saga, the more troubling the story becomes.
I want to believe that truth and justice will prevail here, I do, but the fact is that we're dealing with an administration that seems to get away with everything, that successfully deflects, dodges and otherwise subverts what ought to take place and so I'm very skeptical.
Hope I'm wrong.