The US Marine Corps has denied enlistment to a delayed-entry “poolee” from Florida after photos of the recruit attending a rally for the neo-Nazi group Patriot Front appeared online, Task & Purpose reports.
Christopher Semok signed enlistment papers with the Marines September 21st, scheduling his induction for later in the year. However, in November, the Corps became aware of photos on social media showing Semok attending at least one rally for the white supremacist anti-Semitic group in Orlando. In December, the Corps opened a “preliminary inquiry” into the episode, during which Semok admitted one-time membership in the group, stating he ended his affiliation a month before signing the enlistment papers.
“The Marine Corps takes allegations of racism, fascism and other forms of discrimination seriously and, in the case of Mr. Semok, RS [Recruiting Station] Tampa found it was in the best interest of national security to not let Mr. Semok remain within the DEP [Delayed Entry Program],” the Marine Corps said in a statement.