Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl arraigned in court

Tuesday’s hearing was Bergdahl’s first chance to hear the charges against him.

He wouldn’t enter a plea and didn’t decide whether he wants to face a court-martial with a jury or with just a judge. He showed little expression and looked straight ahead during the hearing. His lawyers could push to have the trial moved back to Texas, said Geoffrey Corn, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who teaches at the South Texas College of Law.

According to CNN, Tuesday’s proceedings lasted about 11 minutes, and there were about 50 individuals in the courtroom.

Bergdahl did not say much but spoke confidently when he responded to the judge’s questions with answers of, “Yes, sir”, and “No, sir”. Bergdahl has been accused of walking away from his platoon’s tiny combat outpost in eastern Afghanistan in 2009, and charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. A conviction could command life in prison. Bergdahl reportedly deserted his unit in Afghanistan in 2009, and he was held captive by the Taliban for five years.

He was released in a prisoner swap in 2014. He returned to the United States two weeks later.

Bergdahl’s arraignment will be held at the Fort Bragg army base in North Carolina.

The Army Times reported that Gen. Robert Abrams, the commanding general of Forces Command, made the referral.

Bergdahl’s next court appearance is set for January.