Cmdr. Cameron Yaste, the Commanding Officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), was recently photographed shooting a 5.56×45mm M4 carbine with the optics installed backward. 

The now-deleted image and press release on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website featured Yaste shooting the M4 with the Trijicon VCOG scope installed backward while pointed at a giant target balloon.

Here's what the press release said before it was deleted: 

Cmdr. Cameron Yaste, the Commanding Officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), fires at the "killer tomato" during a gun shoot. The ship is in US 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the US Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific Region.

Here's how to properly use the scope...

The website Internet Archive saved a snapshot of the press release: 

Netizens mocked the Navy commander, and that's probably why the service deleted the image and text. 

Here's what the internet had to say: 

"we're going to lose a major war"

— Dr. Chiyoda (@DaikanyamaGuy) April 9, 2024

How could this have passed muster by any Navy Personnel? Scope backwards, fore-grip in an almost totally unusable position, entirely ridiculous! My 6 year old grandson knows better than this!

— Keith Personett (@TxMarvelFan) April 10, 2024

Wow what a laughingstock we’ve become

— DP (@PerkesinDiego) April 9, 2024

Another DEI genius. Only thing missing is his skirt and heels.

— Anthony C. Blandino (@AnthonyCBl38708) April 10, 2024

Yaste merely shows how the US Navy is unprepared to fight the next major conflict. Sigh...