A US Marine involved in the adoption of an Afghan war orphan has received a substantiated misconduct finding by a military board. The Marine, Major Joshua Mast, fought to bring a baby girl from Afghanistan to the United States, leading to a legal battle that attracted attention from top government officials. Despite the misconduct finding, the Marine Corps has decided not to remove Mast from active duty.
The three-member panel of Marines concluded that Mast’s actions, while unbecoming, did not merit his dismissal from the military. The Marine Corps accused Mast of misuse of power, defiance of superiors’ orders, mishandling of classified information, and improper use of government resources during his efforts to adopt the child found orphaned in Afghanistan in 2019.
Mast, along with his wife Stephanie, resided in Virginia at the time and successfully obtained a court adoption for the child, even though she was still in Afghanistan with her extended family. After assisting the family in escaping Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, Mast used the adoption documents to relocate the child to the US. The adoption status has faced legal challenges, with the Virginia Court of Appeals ruling against the adoption earlier this year.
The fate of the child remains uncertain as the Afghan couple who cared for her in Afghanistan for 18 months seeks to reverse Mast’s adoption. The US Department of Justice has intervened, alleging that Mast misled the authorities to gain custody of the child, damaging America’s reputation globally. The case is currently pending at the Virginia Supreme Court.
During the five-day board of inquiry hearing held at Camp Lejeune, Mast defended his actions, claiming he followed orders and upheld Marine Corps values in ensuring the child’s safety. The board’s decision to substantiate misconduct will be noted in Mast’s file, potentially affecting his career progression. The final decision on Mast’s status will be made by the Secretary of the Navy.
Stephanie Mast testified publicly during the hearing, shedding light on their determination to bring the child to the US. Despite facing criticism from high-ranking officials, including then-Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, the Masts remained committed to their cause. The motivations behind the adoption were questioned during the hearing, with Stephanie expressing their belief in offering a better life in the US compared to Afghanistan.
The legal proceedings have attracted attention due to the sensitive nature of the case, with classified information being presented during closed sessions. While Mast’s position in the military has been retained, the future of the adopted child remains uncertain as legal challenges persist.