USS John McCain commander relieved of duties after embarrassing photo went viral

Commander Cameron Yaste of the Navy Destroyer USS John McCain was relieved of his duties after a social media post resulted in a loss of confidence in his leadership.

The photo in question, posted in April, shows Yaste aiming a rifle through a scope that was mounted backward. This was an optics disaster for the Navy, and the picture was eventually deleted according to the Associated Press, with a follow-up message posted saying: “Thank you for pointing out our rifle scope error in the previous post. Picture has been removed until EMI (extra military instruction) is completed.”

Around the same time, the Marines posted a similar photo with a properly mounted scope.

The Navy’s official statement on the change was short and sweet, with no additional details. They explained that Yaste was removed from the position “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command the guided missile destroyer.”

Yaste has been replaced by Capt. Allison Christy, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 21, who will maintain the position temporarily until a permanent replacement can be established.

X users weighed in on the removal:

Sierra Marlee

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