A massive group of active-duty Marines are under investigation after a large scale risque photo sharing group was uncovered on Facebook. The group of invite-only members secretly shared naughty photos featuring unclothed female troops, most snapped without their consent. It has not yet been revealed how the photos were obtained by the group or how the photos were captured.
Marine Corps brass are promising to take swift and decisive action to investigate the scandal. Rep. Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement Sunday calling the alleged behavior by Marines and Marine Corps veterans “degrading, dangerous, and completely unacceptable.”
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“I expect that the Marine Corps Commandant, General Neller, will use his resources to fully investigate these acts and bring to justice any individuals who have broken the law and violated the rights of other servicemembers,” the Washington Democrat said. “He must also ensure that the victims are taken care of. The military men and women who proudly volunteer to serve their country should not have to deal with this kind of reprehensible conduct,” Smith added. h/t military
Gross! In the above photo A female U.S. marine is depicted drinking the blood of a cobra at a military base in Chon Buri province, Thailand, on February 20, 2013. This photo is not believed to be connected to the scandal, but for the love of god, is this extreme type of training exercise really necessary?
The investigation was made public Saturday evening by reporter Thomas James Brennan, who reported for Reveal News that members of the private Facebook group Marines United had shared dozens of nude photos of female service members, identifying them by name, rank and duty station. Group members also linked out to a Google Drive folder containing more compromising photos and information, Brennan reported.
“The Marine Corps is deeply concerned about allegations regarding the derogatory online comments and sharing of salacious photographs in a closed website,” Marine Corps spokeswoman Capt. Ryan Alvis said in a statement provided to Military.com. “This behavior destroys morale, erodes trust, and degrades the individual.”
“A Marine who directly participates in, encourages, or condones such actions could also be subjected to criminal proceedings or adverse administrative actions,” Alvis said.