Bowe Bergdahl

Bio:
Bowe Bergdahl (born Robert Bowdrie Bergdahl on March 28, 1986 in Sun Valley, Idaho) is a United States Army solider, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Growing up in Hailey, Idaho, Bowe was homeschooled. He received his GED through the College of Southern Idaho. Bowe entered basic training in the United States Coast Guard in 2006, but was discharged for psychological reasons. He enlisted in the Army in 2008 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. His unit was displayed to Afghanistan in May 2009, and after learning Pashto, reportedly began to gravitate away from his unit and spend more time with the Afghans. On June 30, 2009, Bowe went missing near his outpost in Pakita Province. Accounts of his capture differ, but in July 2009, the Taliban released a video showing Bowe. The Taliban originally demanded $1 million for his release. Bowe was held until May 2014, when the American, Qatar and Afghanistan governments negotiated his release. Controversy surrounds the legality of Bowe’s release. In April 2015, the Army announced it would investigate whether or not Bowe would be court-martialed for deserting his post or if he had gone AWOL. In Dec. 2015, Bowe’s case was revealed to be the subject of the second season of the hit podcast, Serial.

Best Known For:
Bowe Bergdahl is best known as an US Army soldier caught, and released, by the Taliban.

Personal Life:
Between 2007 and 2008, Bowe spent time in a Buddhist monastery. He has never owned a car and he rode his bicycle everywhere. As an adult, Bowe studied fencing, martial arts before taking up ballet classes. He has a sister, Sky Albrecht.