With 35 years serving the military, I was disappointed. Someone that joins the military, even at 18, is an adult. He brought the whole situation upon himself and being captured was a high enough probability to have told him that his actions were not the best course of action.
The military, each branch, is very attuned to mental health concerns and providing assistance. He would have been provided treatment and moved to a "stabler" duty position in AFG, initially, and/or sent stateside for increased treatment if so needed. His de-briefing and mental health, after returning, did not display such disability.
His actions brought great threat and hardship upon his fellow Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine personnel. A simple bad conduct discharge was not appropriate.
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