Military drops hammer on Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, announces six charges over criticism of commanders



The United States military plans to drop the hammer on Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, the Marine officer who criticized top military commanders for the role they played in the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan.

What are the details?

The Marine Corps revealed last week that Scheller has been formally charged with six violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and will be tried before a special court-martial.

The charges against Scheller include UCMJ violations of:

  • Article 88: Contempt toward officials
  • Article 89: Disrespect toward superior commissioned officers
  • Article 90: Willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer
  • Article 92: Dereliction in the performance of duties
  • Article 92: Failure to obey order or regulation
  • Article 133: Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman

Capt. Sam Stephenson, a spokesman for Training and Education Command, suggested the charges are directly related to Scheller's violation of the military chain of command by airing his grievances on social media.

"In the military there are proper forums to raise concerns with the chain of command," Capt. Stephenson told the Marine Corps Times. “In a general sense not specific to any case, posting to social media criticizing the chain of command is not the proper manner in which to raise concerns with the chain of command and may, depending upon the circumstances, constitute a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice."

Scheller was released from military jail last Tuesday. He was sent to the brig for pre-trial confinement after allegedly violating a gag order that ordered him to stop publicly discussing his case.

Why so tough?

Scheller is in hot water, not only for publicly criticizing his commanders, but for repeated embraces of the word "revolution," according to legal documents leaked to Task & Purpose.

However, Tim Parlatore, one of Scheller's attorneys, told Task & Purpose that Scheller has never advocated for actual violence.

"At no time has Lt. Col. Scheller ever advocated any violent overthrow of the government or any other insurrection," Parlatore said. "He does believe that there does need to be a change in the leadership, both the military and the political class, which is what he was referring to in all of these things."

The military is also reportedly upset over Scheller's promise to file charges against Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr., the head of U.S. Central Command, over the terrorist attack outside the Kabul airport in August that resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and 169 Afghan civilians.

Scheller's next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14 at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, according to Task & Purpose.

Marine officer who posted viral video now says he could face court-martial: 'Probably do some jail time'



Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, who went viral last month after criticizing top military commanders over the botched Afghanistan withdrawal, said this week he could be facing a court-martial and jail time.

The claim came days after Scheller, who was "relieved for cause" one day after publishing the critical video, posted a letter to his Facebook page showing that he is resigning his military commission, effective on Sept. 11. Scheller's letter cited a "loss of trust and confidence," a reason that mirrored what the military told him after reprimanding him.

What are the details?

According to the Washington Examiner, Scheller posted an update on Wednesday revealing the military is investigating his situation, and he could face future repercussions.

"The Marine Corps will assign an investigating officer. Most likely a Colonel," Scheller said. "Once the investigating officer finalizes his recommendation, the Marine Corps will decide if they should pursue court-martial."

Scheller claimed that, if his case does go to trial, he would probably be found "guilty." Scheller did not state what military crime he is possibily being accused of breaking.

"I will be found guilty and will probably do some jail time," the Marine added. "This will provide me a valuable opportunity to read, write, and contemplate."

What did the military say?

Capt. Sam Stephenson, a spokesman for the Training and Education Command, confirmed Scheller "is currently under investigation." He did not, however, provide additional details about the investigation.

"The Marine Corps is not providing any additional information regarding Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller. His situation is currently under investigation and being handled appropriately by his chain of command, and therefore, we cannot comment further," Stephenson said, the Examiner reported.

"As Marines decompress from the gravity of events in Afghanistan over the week, it is important for those struggling to speak with their fellow Marines, their chain of command, or seek counseling," he added.

Anything else?

Scheller also revealed this week that he was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation, which he seemingly passed.

"I was ordered by my commanding officer to go to the Hospital for a mental health screening. I was evaluated by the mental health specialists and then sent on my way," Scheller said on Monday. "I am moving forward with my resignation. I, like many of you, am very scared. But courage isn't the absence of fear, it's the ability to overcome it. At the end of the day, if I stand with accountability and integrity, the system can't beat me."