Sgt. Gary Stein Discharged from Marines After Criticizing President Obama on Facebook
U.S. Marine Sgt. Gary Stein has been discharged after fallout from a Facebook post he made criticizing President Obama. Trace Gallagher reported that the “other than honorable discharge” means that Stein will lose most of his benefits. This brings up another issue of how social media plays into the military's rules because Stein said he was exercising his right to free speech, but the military said his statement violated Pentagon policy against taking a political stance.
After the appeals commander upheld the lower ruling, Stein issued a statement saying, “I love the Marine Corps, I love my job. I wish it wouldn’t have gone this way. I’m having a hard time seeing how 15 words on Facebook could have ruined
my nine-year-career.”
Related Links:
- Marine Facing Discharge for Criticizing Obama on Facebook Says He’s Only Guilty of ‘Being an American’
- Marine in Hot Water For Obama Facebook Post
Gallagher points out that it was actually his 11-word post from March 1 that got him in trouble in which he said, “Screw Obama and I will not follow all orders from him.” He later clarified that post saying he meant that he wouldn’t follow any unlawful orders. Stein’s attorney says they will continue to appeal the ruling.
