Marine officer claims to be ‘relieved of responsibility’ over viral message to army leaders over Afghanistan

A Marine officer claims he was “relieved of responsibility” after going viral in a video demanding accountability from army management after the lethal assault on the Kabul airport amid evacuations capping a 20-year battle in Afghanistan.

Stuart Scheller, a lieutenant colonel, made the announcement in a social media publish on Friday, noting he understands and respects why he can be eliminated for such an outburst.

“To all my buddies throughout the social networks. I’ve been relieved for trigger based mostly on an absence of belief and confidence as of 14:30 immediately,” he mentioned on Fb.

“My chain of command is doing precisely what I’d do … if I had been of their footwear,” Scheller continued . “I admire the alternatives AITB command offered. To all of the information businesses asking for interviews … I cannot be making any statements aside from what’s on my social platforms till I exit the Marine Corps.”

It is unclear what Scheller’s standing was as of Friday night or whether or not he was fired. The Marine Corps didn’t instantly return the Washington Examiner’s request for remark.

Scheller, who says he served within the Marines for 17 years and recognized himself because the battalion commander for the Superior Infantry Coaching Battalion, posted the video in query on the web Thursday night.

In it, he demanded accountability for the explosion exterior Kabul’s Hamid Karzai Worldwide Airport on Thursday that led to the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, together with 11 Marines. The assault, for which an Islamic State affiliate claimed duty, occurred as U.S. forces wrap up evacuations of U.S. residents and Afghan allies from Afghanistan following a Taliban takeover and collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan authorities.

Scheller additionally mentioned he knew one of many Marines who died within the explosion.

MARINE BATTALION COMMANDER CALLS OUT SENIOR LEADERS FOR AFGHANISTAN FAILURES IN VIRAL RANT

“The explanation individuals are so upset on social media proper now will not be as a result of the Marine on the battlefield let somebody down,” Scheller mentioned within the viral video. “Persons are upset as a result of their senior leaders allow them to down. And none of them are elevating their arms and accepting accountability or saying, ‘We messed this up.'”

He went on to say individuals could have died in useless if the federal government and the army leaders didn’t maintain themselves accountable and admit it botched the operation. President Joe Biden and his administration have expressed regret over the lack of life however pressured the evacuations would proceed with a strict Aug. 31 pullout deadline.

“America has many points … but it surely’s my residence … It’s the place my three sons will turn out to be males. America continues to be the sunshine shining in a fog of chaos,” Scheller mentioned on the finish of his publish on Friday. “When my Marine Corps profession involves an finish, I sit up for a brand new starting. My life’s function is to make America probably the most deadly and efficient overseas diplomacy instrument. Whereas my days of hand at hand violence could also be ending … I see a brand new gentle on the horizon.”