Ret. Spc. Cody Full, the former roommate of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, testified Wednesday that the recently freed soldier needed to be charged with desertion and a host of other offenses.
The Obama administration agreed to exchange five Taliban commanders for Bergdahl's freedom from captivity in Afghanistan, touching off a political firestorm given the accusations by many in Bergdahl's unit that he willfully deserted his post.
"Combat is difficult," Full said. "The only thing you can count on in combat is commitment of your fellow American. Knowing that someone you needed to trust deserted you in war and did so of his own free will is the ultimate betrayal."
Full called for an investigation "as to why he left us," saying no one should be allowed to desert without any consequences.
"Bowe Bergdahl should not be characterized as serving with honor and distinction," he said. "Any armed service member who violates UCMJ [Uniform Code of Military Justice] gets punished. Bergdahl should not be an exception. If Bergdahl hadn't deserted us, he would never have been held in captivity."
Full statement:
SPC. CODY FULL: The facts tell me that [the] Bergdahl desertion was premeditated. He had a plan and was trying to justify it in his head. How long he had planned this, I do not know. But it is clear to me that he had a plan and executed it. Countless people looked for him when he went missing, putting their own lives on the line for his. Combat is difficult. The only thing you can count on in combat is commitment of your fellow American. Knowing that someone you needed to trust deserted you in war and did so of his own free will is the ultimate betrayal.
Now that Bergdahl is back in the United States, an investigation needs to take place as to why he left us. All the documents including the intelligence known on Bergdahl now need to come to the public view. Americans need to also see the original investigation on Bergdahl's desertion. You should not be able to desert your fellow Americans without consequences. Bowe Bergdahl should not be characterized as having served with honor and distinction. Any armed service member who violates UCMJ gets punished. Bergdahl should not be an exception. If Bergdahl hadn't deserted us, he would never have been held in captivity. In my opinion, Bowe Bergdahl needs to be charged with desertion, missing movement, disrespect towards superior commissioned officer, insubordinate conduct towards noncommissioned officer, failure to obey order or regulation, misbehavior before the enemy and misconduct as prisoner. Thank you.