A U.S. military panel has recommended that a Marine photographed in uniform at an anti-war protest lose his honorable discharge.
Marine Corporal Adam Kokesh says he will appeal the decision, saying he wants to protect other servicemen and women who could face sanctions for expressing their political beliefs.
The 25-year-old Iraq war veteran was photographed in March at an anti-war protest in Washington, DC.
The Marines have accused him of violating regulations by wearing his uniform without authorization and using an obscenity in an e-mail to a superior officer investigating the incident.
Kokesh says he did nothing wrong and was exercising his right to free speech. However, a Marine lawyer, Marine Captain Jeremy Sibert, argued that Kokesh's actions could have negatively affected the military.
The less than honorable discharge allows Kokesh to keep all of his veteran's benefits. His service is due to end on June 18.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.