Bergdahl’s Troubled Platoon
On their tiny, remote base, in a restive sector of eastern Afghanistan at an increasingly violent time of the war, they were known to wear bandannas and cutoff T-shirts. Their crude observation post was inadequately secured, a military review later found. Their first platoon leader, and then their first platoon sergeant, were replaced relatively early in the deployment because of problems…
…their problems in many ways reflected those of the Pentagon’s strategy writ large across Afghanistan at that moment of the war. The platoon was sent to a remote location with too few troops to seriously confront an increasingly aggressive insurgency, which controlled many villages in the region. The riverbeds they used as roads were often mined with improvised explosive devices, or I.E.D.s; simply getting supplies or traveling back to their home operating base could be a nerve-racking ordeal…
There are contradictory accounts of Bergdahl’s disposition.
“He’d complain about not being able to go on the offensive, and being attacked and not being able to return fire,” said Gerald Sutton, who knew Sergeant Bergdahl from spending time together on their tiny outpost, Observation Post Mest Malak, near the village of Yahya Khel, about 50 miles west of the Pakistani border.
Mr. Sutton said he had struggled to square the popular portrayal of Sergeant Bergdahl as brooding and disenchanted with the soldier he knew. “He wanted to take the fight to the enemy and do the mission of the infantry,” he said, adding, “He was a good soldier, and whenever he was told to do something, he would do it.”
The platoon had leadership problems.
Click here for reuse options!Their platoon commander, who some described as less than inspiring, was relieved weeks into the deployment, replaced by the platoon’s sergeant first class, who was popular and respected by the troops. Then, a few months later, the sergeant found himself in trouble after pictures appeared online showing some in the platoon wearing bandannas and cutoff T-shirts. Such garb was not uncommon at remote combat outposts, but it angered and embarrassed commanders, and it helped lead to the sergeant’s dismissal soon after Sergeant Bergdahl disappeared.
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
55 responses to Bergdahl’s Troubled Platoon
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OhioGene June 8th, 2014 at 18:22
What is your point? Berdgahl still walked away from his duty station to chase a will’O”wisp… His choice.
granpa.usthai June 8th, 2014 at 20:33
taking a stroll after guard duty (especially if it was boring) is not that uncommon. Had there been an alert sentry posted, he would have noted Sgt. Berdgahl seeking a bit of solitude and noted the amount of time involved as part of his sentry duties. Evidently Sgt. Berdgahl’s actions were fairly common practice or the posted sentry was derelict in his duties – resulting in the capture of Sgt. Berdgahl by the enemy. Is every POW guilty of leaving their duty station?
To date, the Military has not charged Sgt. Berdghal, after 5 years, you’d think they would have if his actions were out of the norm – and would have also held up two promotions in rank?
OhioGene June 8th, 2014 at 20:40
15-6 requires input from soldier before charges. Promotions have puzzled me. In my time at the sword, SGT (E5) and E6 required the personal appearance of the soldier at a board. How could he have done so… he was not there to be boarded.
There is something not on kilter about the entire situation. Regardless one does not laud a dirt bag and heap shame on those that honor duty.
arc99 June 8th, 2014 at 21:43
nor does one label a person a “dirt bag” based on right wing talk show agendas.
OhioGene June 8th, 2014 at 21:49
You assume a lot. Ex Army. Leave your buddies on a forward op… You are a dirtbag. No amount of bleeding heart nonsense will change that – for me.
Let justice take its course and he be legally innocent. I will still think he is a dirtbag.
madame48 June 9th, 2014 at 08:35
Judgment with no knowledge..what a surprise. I have a family full of veterans, and members still serving, one finishing boot camp soon. The organized assault on the solder without facts has them furious, especially the BS about leaving him POW in Afghanistan and this weekend the Fox comment of EXECUTING him. With parents looking at enlistment of their kids, what parent would want to see their kid as a political pawn to damage a president, with calls to abandon him/her in theater.
Carla Akins June 9th, 2014 at 08:38
Unfortunately, this system allows me to upvote your comment only once which is woefully inadequate. Thank you.
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 08:57
Interesting. A mod with a bias. Reckon I will need to “chill” my speech then. NOT.
Carla Akins June 9th, 2014 at 09:05
This is a private site. A reasonable amount of civility shouldn’t be too much to ask if you wish to express your opinion. Otherwise feel free to spew your hate elsewhere.
mea_mark June 9th, 2014 at 09:10
Let’s gang up on em.
Carla Akins June 9th, 2014 at 10:29
You’re on!
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 09:12
Please specify any hate in what I said. I have no problem not posting where welcome is not available. However I will not be lied about. Specify my hate.
mea_mark June 9th, 2014 at 09:15
Calling other people names that comment here may get your comment deleted, like I just did to one of your comments.
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 09:18
I have not called any of your posters a name. Comment deleted on this part of the thread was not mine. Mine are all still all present.
arc99 June 9th, 2014 at 10:27
check out the rules at right wing site redstate.com
then perhaps you will appreciate the fact that this liberal site at least accepts opposing views.
http://www.redstate.com/posting-rules/
13. The dissemination of talking points from the Democrat Party, or its politicians and allies, is not allowed.
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 15:38
lol. I don’t go to Redstate. They don’t like my comments any better than you do. I am neither Democrat nor Republican… I think both parties are part and parcel of the current situation.
I think both parties are mostly peopled with jackals and crooks (at the top) and have bases that do no or little research but simply spout the party line.
mea_mark June 9th, 2014 at 09:07
Do what you want but this a private site and if we don’t like the way you say things, you may be deleted or banned altogether. This not a government free speech site. You are free to leave anytime though.
Carla Akins June 9th, 2014 at 09:09
Great minds and all…
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 09:14
I am aware that my right to speech ends at your rights of property.
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 08:56
Where did all that come from? I have not judged. He left his post. dirtbag. The rest of it is political maneuvering. President felt so strongly about Bergdahl he left him a detainee for 5 years?… Fetching him out now smacks of politics in a big way.
Were was his “resolve” 5 years ago? Why would you assume I want to damage a President from anything said on this thread. get your bias out of my me please. I have no clue what Fox, ABC, CNN or any other news service has to say about it… that, apparently, is your yoke (not mine).
Laura B. June 9th, 2014 at 09:40
He walked off after his shift, not uncommon at all.He had done so before and returned.Dirtbag yourself!
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 09:47
Thank you for your enlightened response. (should I now resort also to insult)… measured by the numbers of mods that have circled this particular string the result would be me gone and you not… (jmho).
I do not agree with the media firestorm surrounding this incident. However, when PFC Bergdahlleft in the first place (years ago) my measure was as I have stated (at the time) and nothing since has changed that measure. Nice that he has been “rescued”… Events surrounding that rescue are somewhat disquieting. (again jmho).
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 09:12
Please prove my comment is based on a right wing talk show? You assume much.
arc99 June 9th, 2014 at 10:24
I am not assuming a thing, I am observing reality. If you are going to pretend that demonizing Sgt. Bergdahl is NOT the agenda of right wing media outlets, you go right ahead and live in a fantasy world.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/06/06/exclusive-bergdahl-declared-jihad-secret-documents-show/?intcmp=obinsite
EXCLUSIVE: Bergdahl declared jihad in captivity, secret documents show
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 15:33
And this is my fault in what way. People do things like that when held by the violent with extreme views. I don’t really care about that. (it happens in captivity). He walked off his post. (only a dirtbag does that in a forward op)…
What the news folks have to say about it is their reality. Mine includes little of your angst about Fox, the President, Congress, Negotiations, or Political Malfeasance (in this matter). (do you watch any other news?).
OhioGene June 8th, 2014 at 18:22
What is your point? Berdgahl still walked away from his duty station to chase a will’O”wisp… His choice.
granpa.usthai June 8th, 2014 at 20:33
taking a stroll after guard duty (especially if it was boring) is not that uncommon. Had there been an alert sentry posted, he would have noted Sgt. Berdgahl seeking a bit of solitude and noted the amount of time involved as part of his sentry duties. Evidently Sgt. Berdgahl’s actions were fairly common practice or the posted sentry was derelict in his duties – resulting in the capture of Sgt. Berdgahl by the enemy. Is every POW guilty of leaving their duty station?
To date, the Military has not charged Sgt. Berdghal, after 5 years, you’d think they would have if his actions were out of the norm – and would have also held up two promotions in rank?
OhioGene June 8th, 2014 at 20:40
15-6 requires input from soldier before charges. Promotions have puzzled me. In my time at the sword, SGT (E5) and E6 required the personal appearance of the soldier at a board. How could he have done so… he was not there to be boarded.
There is something not on kilter about the entire situation. Regardless one does not laud a dirt bag and heap shame on those that honor duty.
arc99 June 8th, 2014 at 21:43
nor does one label a person a “dirt bag” based on right wing talk show agendas.
madame48 June 9th, 2014 at 08:35
Judgment with no knowledge..what a surprise. I have a family full of veterans, and members still serving, one finishing boot camp soon. The organized assault on the solder without facts has them furious, especially the BS about leaving him POW in Afghanistan and this weekend the Fox comment of EXECUTING him. With parents looking at enlistment of their kids, what parent would want to see their kid as a political pawn to damage a president, with calls to abandon him/her in theater.
Carla Akins June 9th, 2014 at 08:38
Unfortunately, this system allows me to upvote your comment only once which is woefully inadequate. Thank you.
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 08:57
Interesting. A mod with a bias. Reckon I will need to “chill” my speech then. NOT.
Carla Akins June 9th, 2014 at 09:05
This is a private site. A reasonable amount of civility shouldn’t be too much to ask if you wish to express your opinion. Otherwise feel free to spew your hate elsewhere.
mea_mark June 9th, 2014 at 09:10
Let’s gang up on em.
Carla Akins June 9th, 2014 at 10:29
You’re on!
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 09:12
Please specify any hate in what I said. I have no problem not posting where welcome is not available. However I will not be lied about. Specify my hate.
mea_mark June 9th, 2014 at 09:15
Calling other people names that comment here may get your comment deleted, like I just did to one of your comments.
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 09:18
I have not called any of your posters a name. Comment deleted on this part of the thread was not mine. Mine are all still all present.
arc99 June 9th, 2014 at 10:27
check out the rules at right wing site redstate.com
then perhaps you will appreciate the fact that this liberal site at least accepts opposing views.
http://www.redstate.com/posting-rules/
13. The dissemination of talking points from the Democrat Party, or its politicians and allies, is not allowed.
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 15:38
lol. I don’t go to Redstate. They don’t like my comments any better than you do. I am neither Democrat nor Republican… I think both parties are part and parcel of the current situation.
I think both parties are mostly peopled with jackals and crooks (at the top) and have bases that do no or little research but simply spout the party line.
mea_mark June 9th, 2014 at 09:07
Do what you want but this a private site and if we don’t like the way you say things, you may be deleted or banned altogether. This is not a government free speech site. You are free to leave anytime though.
Carla Akins June 9th, 2014 at 09:09
Great minds and all…
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 09:14
I am aware that my right to speech ends at your rights of property.
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 08:56
Where did all that come from? I have not judged. He left his post. … Dirtbag. The rest of it is political maneuvering. President felt so strongly about Bergdahl he left him a detainee for 5 years?… Fetching him out now smacks of politics in a big way.
Were was his “resolve” 5 years ago? Why would you assume I want to damage a President from anything said on this thread. get your bias out of my me please. I have no clue what Fox, ABC, CNN or any other news service has to say about it… that, apparently, is your yoke (not mine).
Laura B. June 9th, 2014 at 09:40
He walked off after his shift, not uncommon at all.He had done so before and returned.Dirtbag yourself!
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 09:47
Thank you for your enlightened response. (should I now resort also to insult)… measured by the numbers of mods that have circled this particular string the result would be me gone and you not… (jmho).
I do not agree with the media firestorm surrounding this incident. However, when PFC Bergdahlleft in the first place (years ago) my measure was as I have stated (at the time) and nothing since has changed that measure. Nice that he has been “rescued”… Events surrounding that rescue are somewhat disquieting. (again jmho).
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 09:12
Please prove my comment is based on a right wing talk show? You assume much.
arc99 June 9th, 2014 at 10:24
I am not assuming a thing, I am observing reality. If you are going to pretend that demonizing Sgt. Bergdahl is NOT the agenda of right wing media outlets, you go right ahead and live in a fantasy world.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/06/06/exclusive-bergdahl-declared-jihad-secret-documents-show/?intcmp=obinsite
EXCLUSIVE: Bergdahl declared jihad in captivity, secret documents show
OhioGene June 9th, 2014 at 15:33
And this is my fault in what way. People do things like that when held by the violent with extreme views. I don’t really care about that. (it happens in captivity). He walked off his post. (only a dirtbag does that in a forward op)…
What the news folks have to say about it is their reality. Mine includes little of your angst about Fox, the President, Congress, Negotiations, or Political Malfeasance (in this matter). (do you watch any other news?).
VALERIE MARTIN June 8th, 2014 at 20:58
What if Sgt. Bergdahl didn’t ‘walk away’ from his duties,
but instead, ran away from fellow soldiers because
he feared THEM. (the “Code Red” scenario in the movie,
A Few Good Men) He had, after all, expressed his feelings
in a letter to his family. That would explain why, despite
signing confidentially agreements, they are now the new
‘Cliven Bundy’ Klan on Fox ‘News’.
IDK what the truth is, but rather than jumping to conclusions,
I will wait for the facts to emerge.
WILLDYE4U June 8th, 2014 at 20:58
What if Sgt. Bergdahl didn’t ‘walk away’ from his duties,
but instead, ran away from fellow soldiers because
he feared THEM. (the “Code Red” scenario in the movie,
A Few Good Men) He had, after all, expressed his feelings
in a letter to his family. That would explain why, despite
signing confidentially agreements, they are now the new
‘Cliven Bundy’ Klan on Fox ‘News’.
IDK what the truth is, but rather than jumping to conclusions,
I will wait for the facts to emerge.
Dave Lanson June 9th, 2014 at 00:46
I have to wonder how Sgt. Bergdahl is withstanding the stress of his confinement now. It’s not true that he was freed. He’s just being held by new jailers.
Dave Lanson June 9th, 2014 at 00:46
I have to wonder how Sgt. Bergdahl is withstanding the stress of his confinement now. It’s not true that he was freed. He’s just being held by new jailers.
Laura B. June 9th, 2014 at 09:37
He is being treated in Germany and being debriefed.
Laura B. June 9th, 2014 at 09:37
He is being treated in Germany and being debriefed.