Fellow soldiers: Bergdahl ‘a deserter’

Many of the American soldiers who served with recently freed Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in Afghanistan say he is not a hero, but a “deserter.”

Some fellow soldiers believe “selfish act” of Bergdahl, who was released Saturday after five years of captivity in Afghanistan, ended up costing the lives of better men, CNN reported.

“I was pissed off then and I am even more so now with everything going on,” said former Sergeant Matt Vierkant, a member of Bergdahl’s platoon when he went missing on June 30, 2009. “Bowe Bergdahl deserted during a time of war and his fellow Americans lost their lives searching for him.”

The US and the Taliban militant group reached a controversial deal earlier this week that led to the release of the captive soldier in exchange of five Afghan Guantanamo prisoners. The deal has come under harsh criticism by GOP lawmakers at home.

Vierkant said Bergdahl should even face a military trial for desertion under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

There is an allegation that Bergdahl had left his post without permission. A reporter asked Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Sunday about the allegation, but Hagel didn’t answer directly. “Our first priority is assuring his well-being and his health and getting him reunited with his family,” he said. “Other circumstances that may develop and questions, those will be dealt with later.”

However, a senior Defense official told CNN that Bergdahl would not likely face any punishment. “Five years is enough,” he said on condition of anonymity.

At least six soldiers were killed in subsequent searches for Bergdahl. Many of his felow soldiers said attacks seemed to increase against the United States in Paktika Provice in the days and weeks following Bergdahl’s disappearance.

To criticize Bergdahl’s act, the Facebook page “Bowe Bergdahl is NOT a hero” has been created, and many have shared stories on it detailing their resentment.