Bergdahl to face desertion charges......

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

What does the United States military gain by doing this, exactly?

You can't just wander off with no reason when you're in the military.  And, the military is kind of a stickler for rules and discipline for whatever reason.

It's just that getting held captive by the Taliban for four or five years or so would fit most people's definitions of 'having suffered enough' and then some.

Can you really blame him for walking off either?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

What does the United States military gain by doing this, exactly?

You can't just wander off with no reason when you're in the military.  And, the military is kind of a stickler for rules and discipline for whatever reason.

It's just that getting held captive by the Taliban for four or five years or so would fit most people's definitions of 'having suffered enough' and then some.

I don't agree.

Bergdahl clearly seems to have blatantly deserted.  And, he caused enormous suffering for other people.  He put his family through horrible suffering.  He put US troops in serious danger when they went to look for him, potentially leading to several deaths.  And, he caused us to exchange 5 Taliban prisoners for him.  I'm sure Bergdahl suffered, but it's entirely his own fault. 

The only defense I could think of is that he is mentally ill.  If he has severe psychiatric issues, I think maybe you can give him a lenient punishment.  But, I absolutely think he should answer for what he did.

Of course he has mental issues; the war over there is brutal. I'd be surprised if he didn't have some form of PTSD dating before his so called desertion.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I still support him. I entrust he will get a fair trial, but innocent until proven guilty.

When will try Cheney for Iraq?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

life in prison?  seems a bit extreme, as I don't think he did anything with any expectation that it would lead to harm for his fellow soldiers.

Oh, I suspect Obama will reduce (commute) his sentence before he leaves office if the sentence is that harsh. He should spend at least 5 years in jail however. And if he actually fought for the other side, he needs to get life.

If he fought for the other side, the Taliban would be happy to make it clear. I think that is off the table by this point.