The Army will conduct `` a comprehensive , coordinated '' review into the case of Sgt . Bowe Bergdahl -- the recently freed soldier whom some have deemed a hero , others a deserter -- the military branch 's civilian leader announced Tuesday . Secretary of the Army John McHugh began a statement on Bergdahl 's case by saying that `` we are grateful that an American soldier is back in American hands '' and insisting `` our first priority is ensuring Sgt . Bergdahl 's health and beginning his reintegration process . '' McHugh did n't address specific questions surrounding how the soldier ended up detained in Afghanistan or what he did while in that situation . But he did say that the military 's review `` will include speaking with Sgt . Bergdahl to better learn from him the circumstances regarding his disappearance and captivity . '' `` All other decisions will be made thereafter , and in accordance with appropriate regulations , policies and practices , '' McHugh said . Authorities have n't given any indication that such a decision is coming anytime soon . Speaking Tuesday in Warsaw , Poland , President Barack Obama said that Bergdahl had not then been interrogated by U.S. officials because he is still undergoing medical care . Nor had he met yet with his family , according to the President . Bergdahl -- who was released by his Taliban captors in exchange for five prisoners held by the United States at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba -- is at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany . The five prisoners headed to Qatar as part of the exchange . Bergdahl will remain at that U.S. Army medical center in Germany until he completes treatment , a U.S. defense official there told CNN . After that , Bergdahl will return to the United States and go to a San Antonio military base , the official said . In his statement Tuesday , McHugh suggested Bergdahl 's medical treatment will be a driving force in what happens next and when it does . `` There is no timeline for this , and we will take as long as medically necessary to aid his recovery , '' McHugh said . Hillary Clinton wanted tougher deal for Bergdahl . Hailed as hero , condemned as deserter . The release of Bergdahl , the last American soldier held captive from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts , spurred celebration in many circles . But others challenged the move -- including some critical because he was let go in exchange for Guantanamo detainees , plus many of those who served with Bergdahl who characterized him as a deserter whose `` selfish act '' ended up costing others ' lives . According to firsthand accounts from soldiers in his platoon , Bergdahl -- sometime before he was set to go on guard duty -- shed his weapons and walked off an observation post with nothing more than a compass , a knife , water , a digital camera and a diary . The team leader , Evan Buetow , recalled to CNN 's Jake Tapper that Bergdahl `` did not agree with the war effort in Afghanistan '' and had said various things that , in retrospect , led him to believe the soldier had `` walked away . '' `` It was a gut feeling I had , '' Buetow said Tuesday . `` ... When he comes up missing and all of his sensitive items are left behind , it just kind of hit us in the head . '' At least six soldiers were killed in subsequent searches for Bergdahl , according to soldiers involved in operations to find him . The Pentagon was not able to provide details on specific operations in which any soldiers killed during that time were involved . Also , many soldiers in Bergdahl 's platoon said attacks seemed to increase against the United States in Paktika province in the days and weeks following his disappearance . Buetow conceded that he and others may never know if this violence was coincidental or if Bergdahl gave his captors information voluntarily or after being tortured . Yet he found it `` incredibly suspicious '' that attacks after Bergdahl disappeared seemed to become `` far more directed . '' As to those U.S. soldiers who died , Buetow said , `` Those soldiers would not be on those patrols , in those specific areas when they were killed , unless Bergdahl left . And that 's a fact to me . '' All this said , the exact circumstances of his disappearance are very uncertain . Published accounts have varied widely , from claims that he walked off the post to claims that he was grabbed from a latrine . Noting everything that he left behind , an Army fact-finding investigation conducted in the months after his 2009 disappearance concluded that Bergdahl left his outpost deliberately and on his own free will , according to a U.S. military official briefed on the report . The official spoke to CNN Tuesday on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information . There was no definitive finding Bergdahl deserted because that would require knowing his intent -- something Army officials could n't do without talking to the soldier . The investigation included interviews with members of Bergdahl 's unit , none of whom reported seeing him go , the official said . In 2012 , Rolling Stone reported that Bergdahl 's unit had discipline and other issues during its time in Afghanistan . Addressing the matter Tuesday , Obama stressed that we `` we do n't leave men and women in uniform behind '' and insisted prisoner swaps `` happen ... at the end of wars . '' `` Whatever the circumstances may turn out to be , we still get an American soldier back if he is held in captivity . Period . Full stop , '' Obama said . `` We do n't condition that . '' Bergdahl team leader : He sought talks with Taliban . 'He is innocent until proven guilty ' Intelligence indicated where Bergdahl was being held a couple of times during his five years in captivity , a U.S. official said . But any mission to get him was deemed too risky -- especially for Berghdal . Instead , the United States worked through a third party to arrange a prisoner swap . The five Taliban prisoners freed from U.S. custody were transferred to Qatar , where Obama said he 's confident they wo n't endanger the United States on the battlefield or elsewhere . Several factors help mitigate the risk of the exchange , two senior U.S. officials said . They include : . • They 've been in Guantanamo for a long time and therefore likely do n't have networks as extensive as they once had ; . • Most U.S. troops will out of Afghanistan in a year ; . • Personal assurances from Qatar 's emir to closely monitor them . The detainees wo n't be under house arrest , yet one U.S. official says , `` We think the Qataris are going to keep a very , very close eye on them . '' Asked about why Congress was n't consulted about the exchange , the President said that over the years , the White House had talked with Congress about the possible need for such an exchange , and that officials had to move quickly when the opportunity arose . `` This was likely the last , best opportunity to free him , '' White House spokesman Jay Carney told CNN 's Wolf Blitzer , adding that `` we did the right thing '' in negotiating a deal much like `` we exchanged prisoners '' with the Germans and Japanese after World War II . As to Bergdahl , he is in stable condition at Landstuhl for treatment of conditions related to five years of captivity , the hospital said Tuesday . Citing privacy laws , the medical center did not provide specifics about his medical condition . He is undergoing a period of `` reintegration '' that includes decompression and help from doctors , security officers , lawyers , chaplains , his family and more , the hospital said . `` The goal is to return him to family and society and on the path to complete recovery , '' the medical center said , adding that there is no timeline for the recovery process . McHugh 's comments Tuesday followed those of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey , who stressed that questions of Bergdahl 's conduct is separate from the effort to recover any missing U.S. soldier . `` As for the circumstances of his capture , when he is able to provide them , we 'll learn the facts , '' Dempsey said . `` Like any American , he is innocent until proven guilty . '' He added : `` Our Army 's leaders will not look away from misconduct if it occurred . '' Does Bergdahl swap set precedent ?
Official : Intel indicated Bergdahl 's location a few times , but it was too risky to get him . Comment: Official : Bergdahl left on his own but no definitive finding he deserted , probe finds . Some hail the American soldier 's release , while others criticize the move .