Bowe Bergdahl. A striking, thought-provoking man and story that has seemed to have bewildered the world. And yet, his story is essentially encapsulated in a single question: Why did Bergdahl walk off his military base? The story doesn’t end there and has provided conversation on a multitude of issues. Based on soldiers’ descriptions of the OP Mest and the fly-over graphic, the terrain is truly bleak and devoid of life. Bergdahl explains that he wanted to cause a DUSTWUN, military code for duty status—whereabouts unknown, to bring attention to his platoon’s ‘bad leadership.’ Initially, Bergdahl paints himself as someone trying to aide his unit but with the descriptions of his arduous, extreme plan and details from his confused squad members, it seems as Bergdahl’s plans are nothing but not needed in the goal he was trying to achieve. His decision does not sound reasonable to me, especially with the terrain of no trees, water, electricity, shade, and rocky and mountainous regions that deter him further to his destination of FOB Sharana. In essence, his plan does not seem feasible due to the landscape and long distance. It was said that Bergdahl was a good runner and that he ‘did well in the heat.’ However, even in Bergdahl’s words, he seemed to have overestimated his capabilities and that his objectives could have been achieved in other manners than causing a DUSTWUN alert. I definitely would not be able to do this plan myself, due to the harsh conditions and terrible consequences this plan brings to the military squad. One aspect that intrigues me was when one person said, “No one just walks off.” This shows the puzzling nature of Bergdahl’s reasoning to leave his post. As stringent, and demanding military life is, his plan definitely disregards the ideals of a soldier and is not how one becomes a ‘hero,’ which Bergdahl desired to be titled. Especially when considering American military culture, in terms of soldier and veteran honor and recognition, leaving his post was equivalent to desertion and echoing the words of current president Donald Trump, deserters are given the harshest treatment and backlash. Overall, his decision does not seem understandable. It seems as if he didn’t fully comprehend the implications of his plan and not try to figure out other possible ways to deal with the poor leadership in his unit. He explains that the lives of soldiers were being threatened, as well, however I question why he did not ask the assistance or viewpoints of the other soldiers in his platoon of other ways to bring attention to the problems of the unit.
I want to know more about the poor leadership that Bergdahl stated as his reason for initiating the DUSTWUN. I would find it helpful to hear from the other soldiers in his platoon and more details from Bergdahl himself about these instances that threatened the lives of the soldiers. In the podcast, Koenig notes how Bergdahl alters his plan to justify him leaving his post to the authorities. This shows how Bowe realized the gravity of the situation and that another aspect of this puzzling plan might imply that Bergdahl just might have made a misjudgment and fatal mistake. I understood the connotations of Bergdahl’s decision left on the platoon, since it made sense that his absence could have only possibly meant him being a deserter or a mole.
It will be interesting to see how the military proceedings will make sense of Bergdahl’s case. The implications of a DUSTWUN seem unyielding and unforgiving due to soldier’s lives that were lost due to Bowe’s plan. This case is an interesting testament to the times we are living in, and I am fascinated to see how it unravels further.
