Marine Commandant Slams Those Involved In Military Nude Photo Scandal: ‘Do You Really Want To Be A Marine?’

This week, it was revealed that hundreds of nude photos of female U.S. Marines were posted on a Facebook military page. The closed Facebook page titled “Marines United,” which has over 30,000 members including mostly active-duty and retired members of the Marine Corps, swapped photos of more than two dozen women in compromising situations. The photos, many of which the women were unaware they were being photographed, identified the naked women by their full name, rank, and military duty station. The Facebook page has since been deleted and an investigation has been launched. Now a Marine has a powerful message to those who engaged in the scandal.

On Tuesday, Marine Corps commandant Gen. Robert Neller delivered a message to his Marines who were involved with or defended the swap of explicit photos.

“For anyone to target one of our Marines, online or otherwise, in an inappropriate manner, is distasteful and shows an absence of respect. The success of every Marine, every team, every unit and command throughout our Corps is based on mutual trust and respect. I expect every Marine to demonstrate the highest integrity and loyalty to fellow Marines at all times, on duty, off-duty, and online. I expect Marines to give their all to be the best human beings, teammates, and Marines possible.”

“So let me cut to the chase,” he said. “When I hear allegations of Marines denigrating their fellow Marines, I don’t think such behavior is that of true warriors or warfighters.”

“There is no time off for Marines,” Neller said. “We are all in, 24/7, and if that commitment to your excellence interferes with your ‘me time,’ or if you can’t or are unwilling to commit to contributing 100 percent to our Corps’ warfighting ability by being a good teammate and improving cohesion and trust, then I have to ask you: ‘Do you really want to be a Marine?'”

[BusinessInsider via Brandon]