‘Misbehavior before the enemy’ charge
Bergdahl is charged with “misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place and prompting the military to launch search operations,” according to an Army statement. The charge carries a potential life sentence.
Desertion charge
Bergdahl is charged with desertion and misbehavior. Eugene Fidell, Bergdahl’s attorney, a lecturer at Yale Law School, says the Army has scheduled an Article 32 hearing, similar to a preliminary hearing in civilian law, for April 22 in San Antonio, Texas, where Bergdahl is based. The hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a general court martial.