The U.S. Army Forces Command's Commanding General referred two charges today, Dec. 14, in the case of United States vs. Sgt. Robert B. Bergdahl to a General Court-Martial.
According to the Forces Command, the two specific charges referred under the U.S. Armed Forces' Uniform Code of Military Justice are: (1) Article 85: "Desertion with Intent to Shirk Important or Hazardous Duty;" and (2) Article 99: "Misbehavior before the Enemy by Endangering the Safety of a Command, Unit or Place."
The date of the arraignment hearing at Fort Bragg, N.C., will be announced at a later date.
According to the Military Times Bergdahl spent five years as a captive under the Taliban and was released last year in a controversial prisoner swap.
Forces Command said the Army conducted a public Article 32 Preliminary Hearing Sept.17-18, 2015, at Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
"He was captured after disappearing from Combat Outpost Mest-Lalak in Paktika province, Afghanistan, on June 30, 2009, said the Military Times, "He has been accused of leaving his patrol base alone and intentionally before he was captured by Taliban insurgents."
Sgt. Bergdahl was charged on March 25 with desertion with intent to shirk important or hazardous duty, and misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place.
"The desertion charge, which falls under Article 85 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, carries a maximum punishment of five years' confinement, a dishonorable discharge, reduction to the rank of E-1, and forfeiture of all pay and allowances." said the Military Times.
Military Times added the misbehavior before the enemy charge, which falls under Article 99 of the UCMJ, carries a maximum punishment of confinement for life as well as a dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank to E-1, and forfeiture of pay and allowances.
