Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl may be owed up to $200,00 in back pay and benefits for his time in captivity.
Army regulations stipulate that he is entitled to his salary of roughly $1,400 a month for his deployment, plus benefits such as housing allowance and hostile-fire pay.
The Army still must conduct a final investigation into his disappearance from his platoon, but technically he is due the money, Military Times reported Friday.
“He is entitled to that money,” said Greg Rinckey, a former Army judge advocate who practices military law with his New York-based firm Tully Rinckey, the Times reported.
Sgt. Bergdahl was released June 1 by the Taliban in exchange for five top commanders held in Guantanamo Bay Detention Center for years. He had been in captivity for five years.
“At a later date, the Army could go back and try to recoup it, but at this point, he is due his pay,” Mr. Rinckey added.
SEE ALSO: Marcus Luttrell: Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is a ‘joker’ who cozied up to the Taliban
Sgt. Berdahl’s official military status has changed from “missing/captured” to “Sergeant,” but officials were unable to tell the Times whether his paychecks will be processed or back pay provided.
He was also promoted twice — from E-3 paygrade to E-5 — during the time he was held by the Taliban, despite an internal Army investigation that concluded he most likely violated orders by leaving his post.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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