Bowe Bergdahl released to outpatient care

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who had been a prisoner of war in Afghanistan for five years, has been shifted to outpatient care at a Texas military base, the U.S. Army said.

Bergdahl, 28, had been receiving inpatient treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston. He is now receiving outpatient care on the base in San Antonio, according to a statement issued by the Army on Sunday. The Army said Bergdahl’s "reintegration process" is proceeding with exposure to more people and a gradual increase in social interaction.

The Idaho native was captured in June 2009 and freed by the Taliban on May 31 after the Obama administration struck a deal in which five senior Taliban officials were released from detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

His release ignited controversy in the United States, with Republican lawmakers calling Obama’s willingness to negotiate with the Taliban unacceptable.

Bergdahl arrived at the Texas medical center on June 13 after nearly two weeks recuperating at a U.S. military hospital in Germany. Army officials said then that Bergdahl was in stable condition and was working daily with health care providers to regain a sense of normalcy and move forward with his life.

The Army statement Sunday said Bergdahl is receiving counseling from "Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape" psychologists" to "continue to ensure he progresses to the point where he can return to duty."

The Army said specifics of Bergdahl's location would not be made public.

Bergdahl disappeared from his post in Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan on June 30, 2009. Some former members of his unit have said that he left of his own accord. Bergdahl has not commented publicly on the circumstances of his disappearance, and the Army has made no charges against him.

The Army said last week it is investigating Bergdahl's disappearance and capture. It says investigators will not interview Bergdahl until those helping him recover say it is all right to do so.

Wire services