The U.S. Navy announced it had relieved the commanding officer of the USS John S. McCain, citing a “loss of confidence” in his ability to lead the guided-missile destroyer.
Cmdr. Cameron Yaste took command of the ship in October 2023 and had most recently been overseeing its operations on its current deployment in the Middle East, the Navy wrote in a release.
His reassignment is not expected to impact the ship’s mission.
The Navy did not indicate why it released Yaste, but noted “the Navy holds commanding officers to the highest standards and holds them accountable when those standards are not met.”
“Naval leaders are entrusted with significant responsibilities to their Sailors and their ships,” the release added.
Yaste earlier this year was widely mocked on social media after the Navy released a photo of him firing a rifle with an improperly mounted Trijicon VCOG scope.
The Marine Corps took a dig at the Navy after the image went viral by posting a photo of a soldier using the scope properly. “Clear Sight Picture,” it wrote in the caption.
Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., joined in ridiculing Yaste and the Navy by sharing an image of a pistol with a barrel that faces toward its user. “Navy’s newly issued sidearm,” he wrote.
The Navy later deleted the photo, saying it would assign EMI, or extra military instruction, based on the incident. The Navy defines EMI as “instruction in a phase of military duty in which an individual is deficient, and is intended for and directed towards the correction of that deficiency.”
Yaste is being reassigned to the Naval Surface Group Northwest. He was previously awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, according to his biography on the Navy’s website.
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