Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl returns to active duties with the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio.
Sgt. Bergdahl was held in captivity in Afghanistan by Taliban since June 2009. On May 31 this year, Sgt. Bergdahl was released as a part of prisoner exchange, which included five Taliban members who were being held at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay.
It has been around six weeks that Sgt. Bergdahl was released and he has already undergone therapy as well as counseling at an Army hospital in San Antonio. Army officials say that Sgt. Bergdahl now returns to assume his duties and will essentially have a desk job.
Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, says that Sgt. Bergdahl is a normal soldier and does not have any restrictions. However, Col. Warren declined to comment if Sgt. Bergdahl is still receiving any counseling.
On June 30, 2009, Sgt. Bergdahl is said to have walked off from his remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan and was then captured by the Taliban. The circumstances pertaining to his disappearance are still believed to be under scrutiny by the U.S. Army. Officials say that till now there has been no evidence of Sgt. Bergdahl's involvement in any army misconduct during his time served in captivity.
Officials of Pentagon first dropped the idea of subjected Berghdalh to a court martial after considering his ordeal as a prisoner of war. However, higher ups of the army said the branch will conduct an investigation to see if the sergeant broke rules when he abandoned his post.
Sgt. Bergdahl's unit assists the Army's Northern Command, which is responsible for homeland defense and security cooperation activities with the militaries of the Bahamas, Mexico and Canada.
Army officials say that Sgt. Bergdahl has spoken to his family after his return. He will initially live in barracks and will also have fellow soldiers to help him readjust.
Sgt. Bergdahl's release encountered a debate as President Barrack Obama had to negotiate his release in exchange for the five Taliban members.
Army officials also said that as part of Sgt. Bergdahl being comfortable when out in public, he was allowed to visit libraries, restaurants, shopping centers and more under supervision.
Sgt. Bergdahl may receive $350,000 tax-free from the U.S. government. He will receive $200,000 for his services during his captivity by the Taliban. He may also get $150,000 if it is confirmed that he was a prisoner of war.
