An enlisted Marine from the base at Twentynine Palms has been busted in rank, sentenced to 30 days' hard labor and fined $964 for allegedly putting offensive comments about Afghans on his Facebook page, according to the Marine Corps Times.

The page also allegedly included a homophobic remark about the Marine Corps.

The Marine, a heavy-equipment operator, pleaded guilty to charges of dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming to the Marine Corps after superiors found the comments. He was reduced in rank from lance corporal to private and docked two-thirds of a month's salary, or $964.

The Marine Corps, like other military services, is wrestling with what rules to impose on the private social media pages of its troops. Rules are expected to be set forth soon.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego