The U.S. Marine Corps is still reeling from the effects of a massive nude photo sharing scandal that occurred on Facebook in the recent months.
A Facebook page known as “Marine’s United” shared thousands of images of females from various service branches in varying stages of undress, most often times without any consent to do so.
After the Corps was pressed to find an immediate solution to the long and lingering issue of sexual harassment in the digital age, the Marines have furthered their effort to show Congress and the world that this is not an issue that they take lightly.
On Tuesday, an update to the separations and retirement manual known as MARADMIN 223/17 was released, and it includes the possibility of separation for Marines who share nude photos without consent.
The update states, in part, that:
“Processing for separation is mandatory following the first substantiated incident of sexual harassment involving any of the following circumstances:
(1) Threats or attempts to influence another’s career or job for sexual favors; or,
(2) Rewards in exchange for sexual favors; or,
(3) Physical contact of a sexual nature which, if charged as a violation of the UCMJ, could result in a punitive discharge; or,
(4) Violation of Article 1168 of the U.S. Navy Regulations including, but not limited to, the distribution or broadcasting of an intimate image, without consent, if done for personal gain[;] or with the intent to humiliate, harm, harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce the depicted person[;] or with reckless disregard as to whether the depicted person would be humiliated, harmed, intimidated, threatened, or coerced.”
The Marines continue to try and improve on the rules and have made marked improvements in recent months when it comes to addressing the issues surrounding sexual assault and harassment.
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