Fort McCoy commander Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez has been suspended after photos of President Trump, VP Vance, and Defense Secretary Hegseth disappeared from the base’s chain-of-command display.
At a Glance
- Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez was suspended after photos of President Trump, VP Vance, and Defense Secretary Hegseth went missing from Fort McCoy’s chain-of-command board
- The U.S. Army Reserve Command stated the suspension “is not related to any misconduct” and remains under review
- The Defense Department launched an investigation after social media outrage; the missing photos have since been replaced
- This incident follows other recent military leadership changes, including the firing of a Space Force commander
Fort McCoy Commander Suspended Over Missing Leadership Photos
Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez, garrison commander of Fort McCoy, has been suspended following the discovery that photographs of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were missing from the base’s official chain-of-command display. The suspension was officially confirmed by the U.S. Army Reserve Command, though they emphasized that the action was “not related to any misconduct.” Ramirez, who has been serving as garrison commander since July 2023, now faces a Department of Defense investigation into the incident.
The incident gained public attention after images showing blank spaces on the command board were shared on social media. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth himself acknowledged the situation by reposting a message stating, “Commander of Fort McCoy, whose base chain-of-command board was missing photos of Trump, Vance and Hegseth, has been SUSPENDED.” The Army responded swiftly, with the Pentagon’s rapid response team later confirming that the display had been corrected with the proper photographs reinstated.
Army Responds to Social Media Outrage
According to Army officials, the command board had been “vandalized” and Fort McCoy leadership was reportedly unaware of the missing photographs until the situation was brought to their attention. Following the discovery, the Defense Department promptly launched an investigation into the matter. While the investigation continues, the Army Reserve Command, under Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Reinert, issued a statement saying, “This suspension is not related to any misconduct. We have no further details to provide at this time while this matter is under review.”
“This suspension is not related to any misconduct. We have no further details to provide at this time while this matter is under review” – U.S. Army Reserve Command.
Social media documentation of the incident spread rapidly, with multiple sources posting updates as the situation developed. Pentagon officials later shared an updated image showing the display wall with the correct photos in place, along with the statement: “Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy… WE FIXED IT! Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened.” The swift response highlights the military’s sensitivity to matters concerning the proper display of command leadership.
Part of Broader Military Leadership Changes
Ramirez’s suspension comes amid a series of leadership adjustments within the U.S. military since the Trump administration took office. Just days before the Fort McCoy incident, Space Force Colonel Susannah Meyers was relieved of command at Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland. The official reason given was “loss of confidence in her leadership” after she reportedly distanced herself from comments Vice President Vance made about Denmark’s oversight of Greenland during a recent visit to the base.
“Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties.” – Space Force.
Additionally, Defense Secretary Hegseth recently dismissed four former aides following internal conflicts and an investigation into information leaks. The Pentagon has emphasized that military commanders must maintain nonpartisan conduct in their duties, regardless of personal political views. These rapid leadership changes reflect the administration’s approach to maintaining discipline and alignment throughout the military chain of command during the transition to new civilian leadership.
