The commandant of the Marine Corps suspended a top adviser Tuesday pending a review of allegations of a hostile work environment.
Brig. Gen. Norman L. Cooling served as the top Marine’s legislative assistant in the Corps’ Office of Legislative Affairs.
Cooling was ousted from his position after the Senate Armed Services Committee asked Secretary of Defense James Mattis to review the work atmosphere created during Cooling’s tour commanding the office, according to a Marine Corps press release.
Mattis announced Feb. 7 that President Donald Trump had nominated Cooling for a second star. It was not clear if that nomination led to the Senate committee’s involvement in the situation.
The commandant, Gen. Robert B. Neller, said the Corps would “cooperate fully with the Department of Defense” during the review.
“We are committed to being an organization in which every Marine has the opportunity to serve at their full potential, unimpeded by discrimination, bias, or hostile working conditions,” Neller said in the statement.
Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.
