Should the military take actions against Bowe Bergdahl?

If Bowe Bergdahl is indeed found guilty of desertion and the evidence supports the finding, he should be court-martialed. Furthermore, he should have to forfeit all pay, effective the day he walked off his post. Aside from the fact that he betrayed his country, he also endangered the lives of those tasked to find him, some of whom were injured and even killed in the performance of their duties. The thought that this man will likely receive a slap on the wrist, be discharged from the army and be allowed to keep all the back-pay, including the undeserved promotion to sergeant, is sickening. His alleged suffering at the hands of the Taliban was of his own making. He was not captured while serving his country. Instead, he abandoned his post and his comrades and willingly sought out the enemy. The fact that he did not receive the welcome he had hoped for from the Taliban, does not make him a victim, but a fool.

One veteran's thoughts on America

There is a lot of controversy and raw emotion surrounding the person of Chris Kyle and the movie "American Sniper". As with most controversies, it brings out people of all sides on the issue, the majority of which are usually ill-informed and uneducated about the issue at hand. I felt compelled to add my "2 cents" to one of the discussions prompted by a Fox News post concerning the movie. Although, the initial post was a pro Chris Kyle statement, the ensuing debate and comments quickly escalated to name calling, anti and pro military rhetoric, left vs. right, etc. You get the picture. Hence, my response was not Chris Kyle specific, but a more general comment with regard to my feelings about the current state of affairs in America. Here is what I wrote: I don't know Chris Kyle, I never met him or anyone that served by his side. I personally have not even seen the movie or read the book. I also did not serve in the War on Terror Therefore, I am in no position to confirm or deny the accuracy of the film, nor can I attest to Chris Kyle's character. That being said, I did serve honorably in the military. I joined the army to serve my country and to uphold and defend the Constitution. I came to my senses early on in my military career. I realized that those in government are rarely faithful to the Constitution, and that holds true for both parties. I realized that wars are instigated by a small elite for profit, no matter how just or unjust the cause. The first gulf war is just one such example. It was all about oil, not Kuwait. Kuwait had an abysmal human rights record back then and still does today . I certainly did not volunteer to go over there to rescue that country. I asked to go because that is what I trained for. My loyalty was to the men to my left and right. That is all I cared about. As for the war on terror, it is a just cause and needs to be fought without mercy. It could certainly be won, if the military were allowed to and politicians would stay out of the business of warriors. However, those in power have not dedicated themselves to winning, but are committed to dragging the conflict on, for as long as they can, because it has made many filthy rich. It has actually launched an entirely separate industry, military contract work, worth billions upon billions of dollars. I still love America with all my heart, and I will always honor my oath to defend the Constitution. I just don't love my corrupt and self-serving government. I am completely disillusioned with American politics as well as the majority of its citizenry. I don't have any patience for those who dishonor America's founding principles and for those who disparage those who fought to uphold and defend them. People who belittle veterans and true patriotism have likely never served a day in the military or done anything to contribute to this nation. Most can't even be bothered to do their civic duty to go to the polls and vote. The veterans I know and served with are all in combat arms, mostly SOF. Most have or are still fighting in the War on Terror, either on active duty or as contractors. 16 of my friends gave their life in this war while on active duty. I would love to be fighting shoulder to shoulder with any of them to this day, not for glory, not for politicians, not even for the majority of Americans, but for what I believe in and for my Brothers in Arms. To those who truly love this country and the principles on which it was founded, many of my Brothers and I sum it up as follows: For nearly 240 years Americans have fought, bled and died for this country. First to establish a country and a constitution, later to defend both. Only 3% of the citizenry were brave enough to stand up to the British Crown initially. Not much has changed since. Young men and women swear an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, while the majority of Americans"sleepwalk" through life, occupied with keeping up with the neighbors, buying the latest and greatest toys, devouring reality shows and worshiping their favorite athletes/ sport teams or entertainers. If Americans really wanted to honor veterans they would read and know the Constitution as the Founding Fathers intended. Americans would pay attention to what is going on in this country, aside from what the government and Mainstream Media wants to feed them. If Americans truly cared about this country's veterans, they would be willing to get involved, make sacrifices, just like those volunteering to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. Americans would educate themselves about the issues facing this country and the world. They would get familiar with this country's laws and rise up in protest when government tramples the Constitution, the very document servicemen and women have bled and died defending. If you want to thank and honor our veterans, then do these things. No longer accept the status quo, stop voting the way you do, just because "that's the way you've always voted". Put down the remote for a change and read a book about the founding of this once great nation. Get involved in the political process through elections, political activism, etc. Don't buy into the partisanship that is paralyzing the government and dividing its people. Spare us hollow catch phrases like "Thank you for your service"; they, in and by themselves, mean nothing. Don't call everyone who wears the uniform a hero, call them brave, if you wish. I served, and I am definitely no hero, but I had the honor and priviledge to know and/or serve with a few. Those who have served, especially those who have been in actual, physical combat know who the real heroes are. Be a patriot! Don't just waves the flag on the 4th of July or Memorial Day, and call that patriotism. Don't simply watch a movie like "American Sniper", be filled with a sense of pride and engage in rhetoric on social media. Be a real patriot; understand, appreciate and honor the sacrifices that were made by the military and their families in order that the concept or ideal known as America may be realized and preserved. Patriotism is a 24/7/365 thing, just like the service and oath of this nation's veterans.