Marine Who Adopted Afghan War Orphan Remains on Active Duty Despite Misconduct Findings

A Marine officer who sparked controversy by adopting an Afghan war orphan has been cleared to remain on active duty, despite findings of misconduct by a military panel, The Associated Press reports.

Major Joshua Mast, 41, was accused of abusing his position, disobeying orders, and mishandling classified information in his pursuit of adopting the girl, who was found orphaned on a battlefield in Afghanistan in 2019.

The three-member panel determined that while Mast’s actions were “unbecoming of an officer,” they did not warrant his separation from the military.

The panel’s decision came after a five-day board of inquiry hearing, parts of which were held behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of the classified information presented.

Mast, who now lives in Hampstead, North Carolina, denied the allegations against him, claiming he was following orders from his superiors and upholding the Marine Corps code by ensuring the girl’s safety. He has since been barred from speaking to the media about the case.

However, despite the panel’s decision, Mast’s actions have resulted in a stain on his record. The panel’s report, which will be sent to the Secretary of the Navy for final review, will be entered into his file, potentially affecting future promotions and assignments.

The case, however, is far from closed. The fate of the child, who remains in the custody of the Masts, is uncertain. The Afghan couple who raised her for 18 months is pursuing legal action to have Mast’s adoption overturned.

The US Department of Justice has intervened, claiming that Mast lied to Virginia courts and federal officials to justify taking the child. They further argue that his actions have damaged America’s reputation abroad.

The State Department, in a statement, reiterated its position that the child should be returned to her Afghan relatives, stating that the “reunion of families separated during armed conflict” aligns with international law and US policy.

The Virginia Court of Appeals has ruled that the adoption should never have been granted, but the case remains in limbo at the Virginia Supreme Court.