An investigation into the activities of some Marines has been initiated by the Department of Defense. In a press release issued yesterday, the Marine Corps announced “deep concern” over the allegations that salacious photographs and derogatory comments about female Marines had been posted on “Marines United,” a secret Facebook group. The release says this type of behaviour “destroys morale, erodes trust and degrades the individual.”
The investigation is being conducted by the Navy Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
The press release points out any Marine who is suspected of committing these acts will be charged and punished. The Marine Corps also told victims how they can contact a chaplain or the Victim Legal Counsel if they wish to talk to someone but remain anonymous.
The Marines United Facebook page was open to all active-duty male Marines and retired male Marines as well as Navy Corpsman and British Royal Marines. The page had 30,000 members. UPI reports many of the women in the photographs were identified by their full names and rank as well as where they were stationed.
The secret Facebook page was first reported by Thomas Brennan, a Marine Corps veteran. Brennan runs War Horse, a non-profit news organization. Capt. Ryan Alvis, a Marine Corps spokesman, said they were thankful for Brennan’s action as it allowed them to be in a position to support the victims. It also allowed the Corps to contact Facebook to remove the page which the company did. The page was linked to a Google Drive account containing more pictures. Google has also removed the pictures.
Since Brennan’s act of reporting the page became public, he has received threats against himself and his family.
Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, said he expects the military to conduct a full investigation including appropriate consequences for those involved. Adam Smith (D-WA), the leading Democrat on the committee made similar statements and also called for the victims to receive proper care. Smith referred to the activity as “degrading, dangerous and completely unacceptable.”
Similar statements were made by senior Marine Corps officers.
According to the Marine Corps, any member who is suspected of posting these photographs can be charged under Article 133 (officers) or Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). These articles make it an offence to share a picture of a person who had a reasonable expectation of privacy or where that picture was taken without consent. Marines could also be charged under Article 120c of the UCMJ for broadcasting or distributing an indecent visual recording.
Any Marine who participated in, condoned or encouraged such actions could also face charges or be subject to administrative actions.
There is no information available at this time as to how many Marines are suspected of being involved in the posting of these pictures.
