US Navy relieves destroyer commander after embarrassing rifle scope photo

WORLD, Sept. 04 (YPA) – The commander of a Navy destroyer that’s helping protect the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Middle East has been relieved of duty about four months after he was seen in a photo firing a rifle with a scope mounted backward.

The image brought the Navy considerable ridicule on social media. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Cameron Yaste, commanding officer of the destroyer USS John McCain, was removed on Friday.

The Navy said Yaste was relieved of duty “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command the guided-missile destroyer” that’s currently deployed in the Gulf of Oman

The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Navy stated Yaste was removed due to “ a loss of confidence to command the guided-missile destroyer.”

The US Navy had previously posted a photo on its official Instagram account showing Yast holding a rifle and looking through a sight that was clearly mounted incorrectly.

The photo drew widespread criticism and ridicule on social media, leading the Navy to eventually remove it.

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