In addition to looking forward to the automatic appeal of Bergdahl's sentence, a petition will be made by his defense attorney to award Bergdahl the POW medal. The justifications include (1) that since he was quickly captured, he was effectively a deserter for "only" one day, (2) that he was held for the most part under miserable and inhumane conditions, (3) that he attempted to escape many times, as expected of any good American soldier, and (4) that only a truly contrite or remoseful person pleads guilty without a sentencing agreement.

So along with the POW medal, Bergdahl may yet gain the honorable discharge he wants, with all its attendant benefits.