More details on fired Marine general’s transgressions

We talked about Marine Corps Major General Neary some time back when he was relieved of his command over use of the “N-word”. At the time, it was reported that the general had used it in the context of challenging some junior Marines who were listening to rap music that prominently featured the racial slur. Military.com has gotten hold of the IG report on the incident and can shed more light on what got him fired.

From Military.com;

A released investigation report has shed more light on a 2020 incident that saw a two-star Marine Corps general relieved of his command overseeing Marine forces in Europe and Africa.

Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Neary was relieved in October 2020 after Marines alleged he used what a report from investigators would categorize as the “full N-word” after overhearing some service members listening to rap music in his headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Stars and Stripes was the first outlet to report the allegations.

Now, the report from the Inspector General of the Marine Corps, released to Military.com after a Freedom of Information request, reveals exactly what the Marines alleged Neary told them.

According to investigators, on the morning of July 22, 2020, Neary was on Devil Dog Field across from the Marine headquarters building when he heard eight Marines listening to the song “Put It On” by the artist “Big L.” Neary told the Marine nearest him to change the song. After the group finished their workout, Neary walked over to the Marines for a more detailed talk.

What was said during this more detailed talk is the subject of disagreement between the Marines and Neary, but it’s this conversation that would lead to his ouster.

I’d like to break down my thoughts here line by line on what happened next.

According to one Marine, who later filed a complaint with the inspector general, Neary told the group that “[full n-word] should never be used and it is a word of hate”

Agree. Good job General, trying to stamp out the racist “extremism” that SECDEF Austin commanded you to do earlier in 2020. But wait…

before adding that “[full n-word] is the reason ‘you people’ are doing riots in the U.S. ‘you people’ are the reason why the country is the way it is.”

According to that Marine, Neary went on to tell the group that “it’s your generation that’s burning buildings down and starting these protests”

Oh yeah, that’s a paddlin’. He wasn’t done yet…

“He also said, ‘go ahead and call HR, I am the head of HR,'” the Marine’s account alleged.

These allegations were backed up by four other Marines interviewed by investigators. The report notes that each Marine’s account of the general’s comments included the allegation that “Neary used a racial slur two times, used the phrase ‘you people’ in a manner that offended them, and made reference to being the head of ‘HR.'”

Neary’s main argument was that “although he did utter a racial slur when speaking to subordinates, he did so for clarity and to denounce its use.” He also “admitted saying the racial slur one time but denied repeating it more than once,” the report said.

“Neary also denied using the phrase ‘you people'” or “saying anything to the Marines about ‘HR’ or being the head of ‘HR'” to investigators, the report added. However, in the days after the incident, the report notes Neary told an official whose name is redacted in the released document that “he probably said something like that” when asked about the “you people” remark but noted that “he was referring to the youth or the young people out in the streets rioting.”

So yeah. I can see why he was canned. Sounds to me like he was trying to speak to his young Marines like he was still a platoon leader.

Category: Dick Stepping, Marines