Now, they want Bowe Bergdahl to face a general court martial. The investigating officer had recommended a special court-martial instead. The level of punishment is higher at the general court-martial level. The “convening authority” (i.e., the general responsible for the investigation) overruled his investigating officer. The general appointed the investigating officer, so normally, the general

SGT Bowe Bergdahl has been charged with desertion with intent to shirk important or hazardous duty. The charges will go before an Art. 32 hearing, which is equivalent to a grand jury. He may not spend any time in prison, since he served five years as prisoner of the Taliban. Many members of any court-martial