Nearly 30 Military Officers Press Congress To Investigate The Marine Corps' Top General
The group of officers sent a letter that included 28 pages of enclosures, alleging the Corps' top officer made misleading statements under oath, hid evidence, and worked to discredit a whistleblower who said Amos had engaged in undue command influence.
Those allegations stem from the aftermath of a 2011 incident in Afghanistan, when a group of Marine scout/snipers filmed themselves urinating on enemy fighters. The video was later posted to Youtube, and Amos ordered an investigation.
Lt. Gen. Thomas Waldhauser was appointed to lead the independent inquiry, and later recommended the Marines receive nonjudicial punishment in lieu of a more serious court-martial proceeding.
Waldhauser, who was removed as the convening authority, alleged Amos tried to influence his ruling on the case - a violation of Article 37 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
"I do not necessarily remember the exact words or sequence of what was said, but the [Commandant] did make a comment to the effect that the Marines involved needed to be 'crushed,'" Waldhauser said, according to a sworn statement to the DoD Inspector General. "The CMC went on to say that he wanted these Marines to be discharged from the Marine Corps when this was all over."
The letter also brings up the case of Maj. James Weirick, a Marine attorney investigating the sniper case who later filed a whistleblower complaint against the Commandant. He's been enduring alleged reprisals ever since.
"To be sure, Major Weirick should be congratulated, and most certainly not condemned, for bringing these issues to the forefront," the letter reads, according to The Times. "We urge you to exercise your oversight responsibilities and fully explore these events so that due process, fundamental fairness, and most of all, integrity, remain more revered within the military justice system and in the traditions of the United States Marine Corps."