Berkeley Co. soldier calls Bowe Bergdahl a traitor, strange

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—Shortly after graduating high school, Billy Rentiers IV of Moncks Corner joined the U.S. Army, spending a year in Paktika Province, Afghanistan. It was during his time in the military, he first encountered Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a soldier recently released from the Taliban after five years in captivity.

“He was strange. I never made any effort to interact with him,” recalled Rentiers. “He seemed very withdrawn–like his mind was elsewhere. He was in Blackfoot company (Bravo), and I was in Easy company (Echo).”

There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding Bergdahl’s release. Critics have bashed the Obama administration for handing over five Taliban officials back to their own in exchange for his freedom.

“Sergeant Bergdahl’s recovery is a reminder of America’s unwavering commitment to leave no man or woman in uniform behind on the battlefield,” stated President Barack Obama at the time of the release. “And as we find relief in Bowe’s recovery, our thoughts and prayers are with those other Americans whose release we continue to pursue.”

Days after Bergdahl was let go by the Taliban, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance from his unit and how he was captured have been greatly disputed. Some call Bergdahl a hero, while others argue that he intentionally abandoned his fellow soldiers.

“There was never any question in the minds of any soldier that he deserted,” stated Rentiers. “He had been talking for several days about wanting to explore Afghanistan and that if the deployment wasn’t exciting, he was leaving, but nobody took him seriously.”

According to Rentiers, Bergdahl left behind “sensitive items” at his combat post, placing them out in an orderly fashion with the serial numbers facing up.

“All he took with him was a bottle of water, a compass and a knife,” added Rentiers. “The next day the local children said they saw him acting strange and crawling through the bushes on his stomach. They also reported that he was looking for someone that spoke English and asking which direction he could find the Taliban.”

In a report by the Associated Press, the Taliban posted video showing Bergdahl say that he was “scared I won’t be able to go home.” Bergdahl also stated that he was lagging behind a patrol when he was captured.

Rentiers and a number of other soldiers who served with Berdahl say they are suspicious of his claims. Former Sgt. Matt Vierkant, a member of Bergdahl’s platoon when he went missing in June 2009, told CNN that he was “pissed off then

and even more so now,” stating that a number of soldiers lost their lives looking for him. Rentiers believes it was a mistake to bring Bergdahl home.

“He’s a living reminder that those six lives were lost for nothing. For this coward to come home painted as some sort of hero is absolutely sickening,” added Rentiers. “It’s so important to make certain he pays for his desertion in order to put our dead brothers’ souls at peace. “

According to Reuters, a U.S. military investigation of Bergdahl’s capture by the Taliban found he had slipped away from his unit before but had always returned, raising questions about whether or not he was, in fact, deserting when he disappeared.

Bergdahl was transferred to a U.S. military hospital in Germany and is currently undergoing physical and mental evaluation.

“Our first priority is ensuring Sgt. Bergdahl’s health and beginning his reintegration process. There is no timeline for this, and we will take as long as medically necessary to aid his recovery,” said John McHugh, Secretary of the Army.

McHugh added that U.S. Army officials plan to eventually speak to Bergdahl to better learn about the circumstances of his disappearances and captivity.

For some soldiers like Rentiers, they believe Bergdahl should face criminal charges and that his release sends the wrong message to enemy forces. So far, more than 80,000 people have signed an online petition, requesting that the Obama administration punish Bergdahl for going AWOL.

“Obama traded five Middle Eastern terrorists for a terrorist from Idaho. He shouldn’t be allowed to roam free amongst our children and families,” stated Rentiers. “Every single soldier in my Battalion was forced practically under total duress to sign a non-disclosure agreement. We’re all bringing you the truth of the matter at great personal risk.”