Nude photos of female US marines shared on secret Facebook group prompts NCIS investigation

File pictures (Photo: Getty Images North America)

Hundreds of United States Marines are being investigated for sharing naked pictures of their female colleagues on private Facebook groups.

Over twenty different women, including officers and enlisted soldiers, have had their intimate photos shared on a private group called "Marines United".

According to Reveal , which broke the story along with The War Horse , the smutty Facebook group has nearly 30,000 followers - and the pictures have drawn dozens of obscene comments. The group is believed to have been started in January after the first Marine infantry unit was assigned female members on January 5.

File pictures (Photo: Getty Images North America)

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is currently investigating the incident, and reports that the photos have been taken down.

“For anyone to target one of our Marines, online or otherwise, in an inappropriate manner, is distasteful and shows an absence of respect,” said Marine Corps commandant General Robert B Neller.

Other pictures of both active duty and veteran female soldiers were posted and linked to through Google Drive.

File pictures (Photo: AFP)

Marine Corps spokesman Captain Ryan E Alvis said:

“The Marine Corps is deeply concerned about allegations regarding the derogatory online comments and sharing of salacious photographs in a closed website.”

 “This behaviour destroys morale, erodes trust, and degrades the individual.”

 Source: Mirror