The videos were posted to Twitter November 18 by a black activist and teacher from New Jersey with the caption, "Is this commonplace?"
"We can confirm some of the individuals portrayed in the videos are US Marines," the III Marine Expeditionary Force wrote in a statement obtained by the Marine Corps Times.
"The actions depicted in the videos are not in keeping with the high standard of conduct to which we hold all our Marines. We will thoroughly investigate the matter and take appropriate action based on the results of the investigation," the statement adds.
It is still unknown how many of the people pictured in the videos are US Marines and what kind of consequences they may face. Marine Corps guidelines on social media use include the admonition to "avoid offensive and inappropriate behavior" including "posting any defamatory, libelous, obscene, abusive, threatening, racially or ethnically hateful, or otherwise offensive or illegal information or material."
The Marines have been under scrutiny this past year. Top Marine officials are being investigated for posting naked photos of female Marines on a Facebook page called "Marines United."
The activity was first uncovered by War Horse, a nonprofit news organization run by Marine veteran Thomas Brennan.
"We are thankful that Thomas Brennan, a Marine veteran, notified the Marine Corps and Naval Criminal Investigative Service about what he witnessed on the 'Marines United' page," Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Ryan E. Alvis said, the Los Angeles Times reported.
"It allowed us to take immediate action to have the explicit photos taken down and to prepare to support potential victims."
— zellie (@zellieimani) November 18, 2017
Following the nude photo scandal, the Marine Corps updated its social media activity guidelines to address online sexual misconduct.
The new social media guidelines note that the old 2010 guidelines "have long prohibited sexual or other harassment, fraternization, retaliation, reprisal and hazing" and that "sexual misconduct related to indecent viewing, visual recording or broadcasting" will be punished.
The new guidelines, however, emphasize that "this type of conduct may be punishable under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice," which requires punishment under a court martial.
— zellie (@zellieimani) November 18, 2017
In addition, the updated guidelines encourages victims to report sexual misconduct.
"Marines who believe they have been subject to inappropriate online conduct and who would like to maintain their privacy are encouraged to report the misconduct to their chaplain or a Victims Legal Counsel," the updated guidelines state.
