Tell the Pentagon: "Don't Punish Marine Who Tried to Stop Child Sex Abuse"

This is sickening. The New York Times reports that American soldiers and Marines were instructed not to intervene when allied Afghan commanders sexually abused children — and that military officials are working to boot a marine who transmitted information to fellow soldiers that could have prevented such abuse in an unsecure manner.

As a former Marine who served in Iraq, I am appalled by the Pentagon's treatment of Major Jason Brezler. No soldier should be forcibly discharged for trying to prevent the sexual abuse of children.

According to The Times, Major Brezler and a colleague convinced local police to arrest Afghan police commander Sarwar Jan in 2010 for corruption, supporting the Taliban and child abduction.

When Jan was placed at another post two years later, Major Brezler attempted to warn US personnel about the Afghan commander's record. Two weeks after arriving, one of Jan's "large entourage of 'tea boys' — domestic servants who are sometimes pressed into sexual slavery" grabbed a rifle and shot several US soldiers.

As the father of one of the slain marines told The Times:

"As far as the young boys are concerned, the Marines are allowing it to happen and so they're guilty by association."

Major Brezler should be commended — not punished — for sounding a warning about a corrupt and predatory Afghan commander. Please sign my petition right now and urge Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to immediately halt discharge proceedings against Major Brezler and review how non-intervention may make our military personnel complicit in the abuse of children.