Commander and sergeant major fired from Marine unit that lost 2 rifles

Being fired from a command position basically ends their careers which is more damaging that an Article 15.

Thank you, my friend SSG(P) (Join to see) for making us aware that the battalion commander
[Lt. Col. Clinton Kappel] and battalion sergeant major [Sgt. Maj. Elson L. Aviles] of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, the unit that lost two rifles in December 2019, were recently relieved for "loss of trust and confidence,” on March 12, 2020 a Marine official confirmed.
I concur with my friend CW5 Jack Cardwell that being relieved of command is much worse than an article 15 [caveat I have a company grade Article 15 and General Officer grade article 15 in my file.]

"The decision to fire the two Marines was made by Maj. Gen. David J. Furness, commander of the 2nd Marine Division, 1st Lt. Dan Linfante, division spokesman, told Marine Corps Times on Monday.
”2nd Marine Division must continue to put our subordinate units in the best position to fight and win,” Linfante said. “As such, decisions like this are taken seriously and with the intent of ensuring a given unit’s continued success in future operations.”
The unit lost two rifles while at an on-base training exercise. Both rifles are still missing. After the unit tried unsuccessfully to locate the missing rifles, the Navy Criminal Investigative Service took over the case.
An investigation is still ongoing, an NCIS official told Marine Corps Times."
What do you think LTC John Shaw Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SSgt Terry P. Capt Mark Strobl Capt Jeff S. COL Mikel J. Burroughs GySgt H.E. (Trey) Salmon III GySgt Bryan A. McGown "Gunny"MGySgt Michael P. McNeal, MBA

Relief for cause is a career ender for both. They may ride a chair for awhile, but not much more.