When and how was PFC Bergdahl promoted to Sergeant? Gearing up for the 2012 presidential election, Obama’s handlers estimated that they would firm up his peacenik and military family support if he could arrange the return of PFC Bergdahl. In 2011 Obama’s campaign first proposed to exchange the Taliban Five for Bergdahl, even though DoD communications in 2010 clearly indicated he was a deserter. However, it is not clear how the Army officially classified Bergdahl. Based on all accounts from those in Bergdahl’s infantry company, his status should have been AWL (Absent Without Leave). But his status could have been MISCAP (Missing in Action and Captured). If Bergdahl was classified as captured (POW), he would have received rank promotions due. On 17 June 2011, Bergdahl was promoted to Sergeant, in absentia. While the Army knew that he deserted and was in the custody of the Taliban, it is fair to assume there was political pressure from the Obama administration to classify him as something other than AWL, lest Bergdahl’s value as Obama political campaign fodder, would be diminished. While Bergdahl has yet to be convicted as a deserter, and he should be afforded due process of law, if convicted, he will lose that rank. At this point, I stand with those who served with him, and refuse to afford him the honor of being called “Sergeant.” When Congressional Republicans discovered Obama’s proposed Gitmo exchange for Bergdahl in 2012, they stopped the political charade and negotiated an agreement with the administration establishing a legal requirement to notify Congress 30 days in advance of any future Gitmo prisoner release. Of course, Obama disregarded that requirement last week to complete this ludicrous exchange. (It is an ugly irony that Obama signed off on the Bergdahl “deal” in a back room at the USMA, just moments before his commencement address to West Point Cadets.) Memo to America: STOP referring to Bergdahl as “sergeant.”