The entire military fraternity was shocked when news emanated that the marines of the United States army had been sharing nude photos of their women comrades on a secret page on Facebook. The nude photos were taken secretly and without the knowledge of the concerned women. Worse the Facebook page had rank, name, unit and in some cases even the service number of the concerned woman soldier. This to the say least is pretty degrading but the shock is that this Facebook page had 30,000 marines as members. All of them had access to the page with a secret code number. The page was
managed by a marine on his drive.The marines are the elite fighting component of the US armed forces and have a checkered history from the battles of Okinawa and Bataan to the D -Day landings in Normandy. Initially, only men were enlisted as marines, but now Congress has approved women, soldiers, as well.
The army top brass has promised that action will be taken. The Facebook page has been closed but the top brass is in a quandary. How do you take action against nearly 30,000 marines? This points to a herculean task and well nigh impossible. The photos have been taken down, but where is the chance that it may not surface again. Remember a tiger once a man-eater is always a man-eater and marines who get titillated by watching their colleagues in the nude and photographing them are likely not to repeat the offense.
If it was an
isolated incident action like a court martial would have taken place. This is an act prejudicial to good order and discipline. The Indian army and Air Force also have this provision in their act and the US unified military code has this statute. The question how do you take action against nearly 30,000 marines. It's impossible and any severe action will sound the death knell of the marines as a fighting force. Thus though Congress and the army top brass have been making the right noises, on the ground nothing much has happened. One is not sure that even the ring leader has been dismissed. Perhaps some administrative action is contemplated.What is the reaction of the women soldiers? Obviously, they would not like it but some feel thrilled at this. This is hard to understand. But here the case is not whether anybody likes it or not, but an issue that can distract a soldier from his or her primary duty. Such distractions cannot be allowed and only on this ground some deterrent punishment is called for, but I don't see it happening. it would be a sad day if a soldier whose job is to remain fit and fight, is planning how to take the nude photo his woman colleague.
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