In a surprising turn of events, the Navy has removed Cmdr. Cameron Yaste, the leader of the USS John McCain, from his position. The reason? A comically embarrassing photo of him holding a rifle with its scope mounted backwards.
This funny photo was first shared on the Navy’s social media back in April. In the image, Yaste is seen holding the rifle incorrectly, with the scope pointing the wrong way. The internet had a field day with it, and even the US Marine Corps joined in the fun by posting their own picture with a caption poking fun at the mistake.
While the Navy hasn’t said the photo was the direct cause of Yaste’s removal, they did state that they expect their officers to meet very high standards. Yaste was relieved of his command on August 30 due to what the Navy described as a “loss of confidence” in his ability to lead.
This change in leadership comes at a tense time, with the US deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups to the Middle East due to rising tensions between Israel and Iran. But despite the shake-up, the Navy assured that the USS John McCain’s mission and schedule won’t be affected.
The story of Yaste’s photo serves as a reminder of how even small mistakes can have big consequences, especially in high-stakes positions.
