Military officials announced today that Camp Pendleton Marine Sgt. Gary Stein has been dismissed from the Marines with an "Other than Honorable" discharge, meaning he won't receive military benefits after leaving the service.
Stein first got into hot water for writing Anti-Obama posts on his Facebook page. A Marine administrative board recommended Stein for dismissal during a April 5 hearing. Today the Commanding General for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego announced his approval of the board's recommendation for discharge.
According to a MCRD news release:
The Commanding General found that the board was conducted in accordance with law and regulation, that the findings of misconduct were supported by the evidence of record, and thus has approved the board's recommendation that Sgt Stein be separated from the Marine Corps with an "other than honorable" discharge... Marines administratively separated with an "other than honorable" discharge are automatically reduced to pay grade E-3, to become effective upon separation.
Stein has said he plans to fight his discharge all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. He responded to news of his dismissal on his Facebook page:
I have spent the last 9 years honorably serving this great nation and the Corps. Even though I will be discharged no one can take the title of Marine away from me. I thank my family and friends for their support and love. Today is just the start of the rest of my life. Semper Fi.
