Pentagon: Bergdahl’s Health Improves

Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl’s health is improving as he undergoes treatment at Landstuhl Army Medical Center, Germany, Pentagon officials said today, June 5th, 2014.

“He remains in stable condition, his health continues to improve daily,” said Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman. “He is conversing with medical staff and becoming more engaged in his treatment plan.”

Warren said Bergdahl, who had been held captive by the Haqqani network for almost five years, is resting better and showing signs of improvement.

Medical professionals will determine when the next stage of the reintegration begins. That phase will be conducted in San Antonio, Texas. “The process is about helping the returnee gain control of his emotions,” Warren said. “One of the methods the psychologists use to help the returnee is to allow him to tell his story.”

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today during an interview with the BBC that DOD is “doing everything we possibly could to help rehabilitate him, get his health back, where it needs to be, so that he can get reunited with his family and brought back into society.”

All national security leaders were unanimous in their recommendation to President Barack Obama to go through with the agreement that secured Bergdahl’s release, the secretary said. “We all came to the same conclusion that we didn’t want to take any chances here,” Hagel said.

Bergdahl has not spoken to his parents yet, and there is no date for his return to the United States.

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service