Marine Corps removes white two-star general from commanding forces in Europe and Africa 'after he used the N-word during training'
The Marine Corps has removed a two-star general from command of Marine forces in Europe and Africa based on an investigation into allegations that he used the N-word during a training event, officials announced today.
The decision to relieve Major General Stephen Neary of command of Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, headquartered in Germany, was made by the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. David Berger.
'Neary was relieved due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to serve in command,' the Marines said in a brief written statement. Neary had assumed command in July.
US Marine Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Neary (left and right) was relieved of command of command of Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa on Monday over his alleged use of a racial slur
Neary, pictured in July, allegedly said the N-word in front of Marines during a training evening in Germany in August
A Marine spokesman, Maj. Eric Flanagan, said separately that Berger acted on the basis of what had been determined in an official investigation of the allegation that Neary had used a racial slur. Details of those findings have not been disclosed.
The Stars and Strips newspaper reported earlier this month that the Marines had confirmed they were investigating an allegation that Neary, who is white, had used the N-word in the presence of other Marines.
According to the newspaper's previous reporting, the incident took place in August at Neary's headquarters in Böeblingen, Germany.
A lance corporal who witnessed the incident told Stars and Stripes, speaking on condition of anonymity, that Marines were training on the parade field with loud rap music blaring in the background.
The incident took place less than a month after Neary assumed command Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa. Pictured: Neary speaks with Marines and residents of Henoko, Japan
Some of the lyrics in the songs included the N-word, which prompted Neary to ask a group of Marines, which include black and Latino service members, how they would feel if he uttered the racial slur.
'He lost respect right there,' the unnamed lance corporal said of the general.
The incident involving the slur took place less than a month after Neary assumed command of Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa.
Neary was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1988 after graduating from Virginia Military Institute and previously served as deputy commander of II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.