Chelsea Manning to return to active duty after prison release – Army Times

Pvt. Chelsea Manning is getting out of prison on Wednesday, and because her court-martial conviction is still under appeal, she'll be staying in the Army for the forseeable future.

Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison back in 2013, but an order by former President Obama in January commuted her sentence to seven years from her initial arrest, which adds up to May 17, 2017.

She won't draw a paycheck once she's out, but she will be eligible for some benefits, according to an Army spokesman.

"Pvt. Manning is statutorily entitled to medical care while on excess leave in an active duty status, pending final appellate review," said Dave Foster. "In an active duty status, although in an unpaid status, Manning is eligible for direct care at medical treatment facilities, commissary privileges, Morale Welfare and Recreation privileges, and Exchange privileges."

The former intelligence analyst, who was court-martialed as Pfc. Bradley Manning, was convicted of leaking thousands of documents to Wikileaks in 2010. News of her return to active duty was first reported by USA Today.

Soon after being incarcerated at U.S. Disciplinary Barracks in Leavenworth, Kansas, Manning came out as transgender and began taking hormones and living as a woman in prison.

Manning's fragile mental state, including a suicide attempt and subsequent stay in solitary confinement, informed Obama's decision to order her early release. It was a decision that was met with fierce opposition from lawmakers and service members alike.

Shortly after his decision was announced, Obama told reporters he granted clemency to Manning because she had gone to trial, taken responsibility for her crime and received a sentence that was harsher than other leakers have received. He added that he did not grant Manning a pardon, which would have symbolically forgiven her for the crime.

"I feel very comfortable that justice has been served," Obama said at the time.

The Army declined to provide details about where Manning will be stationed, citing privacy and security concerns.

Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.

Read more here:
Chelsea Manning to return to active duty after prison release - Army Times