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By Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube, NBC News
WASHINGTON - The U.S. military on Monday dealt out punishment to three Marines for their roles in urinating on Taliban corpses, and were?expected to announce penalties against six soldiers in the Quran burning incident at Bagram Air Base that ignited deadly protests in Afghanistan.
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The Marine Corps announced that three Marines received non-judicial punishment for their roles in urinating on Taliban corpses in Afghanistan as well as for videotaping the incident.
A statement from the Marine Corps said they received the punishment for "violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for their role in the desecration and filming of deceased Taliban that became public in January 2012."
As part of a plea deal, all three Marines pleaded guilty and will receive a permanent mark on their records that will impact any future promotions and re-enlistments.
They were all members of the Third Battalion, Second Marine Regiment or in units that were attached to the "3/2" during their deployment. Their names were not released.?
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One non-commissioned officer pleaded guilty to a general order by?wrongfully posing for an unofficial photograph with human casualties and urinating on the body of a deceased Taliban soldier, which conduct was prejudicial to good order and discipline.
Another non-commissioned officer pleaded guilty to?wrongfully posing for an unofficial photograph with human casualties and?wrongfully video recording the incident.?
A staff non-commissioned officer pleaded guilty to?failing to report the mistreatment of human casualties by other Marines and?making a false official statement to a Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigator about the his knowledge of the video.
At least 2 more Marines are awaiting disciplinary action for their roles in setting a command climate that led to the urinating incident.
The incident took place during a counter-insurgency operation near Sandala, Musa Qala District in Helmand Province, Afghanistan around July 27, 2011.?
The investigation into the Quran burning reportedly found no ill intent on the part of the soldiers so none of the six will face criminal charges. ?The administrative punishment, however, will likely result in the end of their military careers.?
Report: 5 soldiers involved in Quran burning
The investigation against one sailor was dropped when it was determined he was simply ordered to drive the truck with the material to the burn site at the base.
The burning of the Muslim holy books in February sparked weeks of protests that led to 30 Afghan deaths. U.S. officials said at the time the books were mistakenly sent along with garbage for disposal after detainees had written messages in them.
According to The Wall Street Journal, officials in Afghanistan were bracing for public demonstration over what might be viewed as lenient punishment of the troops.
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