U.S. Navy captain who fired a rifle with a rearward-facing scope was fired "due to loss of confidence"

Captain of the USS John S. McCain, Cameron Yaste, gained unexpected fame in April when a photo was shared on the official Instagram account of the US Navy—he was posed with a rifle featuring a backward-mounted optical sight.

“From practical shooting, maintenance checks, and fuel quality inspections to participation in maritime and anchor operations—the US Navy is always ready to serve and protect,” wrote under the photo.

The image went viral online, attracting mockery in the comments. It was later deleted (but as we know, screenshots last forever).

Last Friday, four months after the photo was published, Yaste was dismissed due to a “loss of trust and confidence in his abilities," reported Business Insider.

Cameron Yaste was the captain of the USS John S. McCain, a US Navy destroyer assisting in the defense of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which has been stationed in the Middle East since April. Yaste will be temporarily replaced by Captain Allison Christie, the deputy commodore of the 21st Destroyer Squadron, part of the carrier group USS Abraham Lincoln, also located in the Gulf of Oman.

The Pentagon has deployed aircraft carriers to the Middle East to be ready to assist Israel against potential attacks from Iran or other nations. According to the US Navy, the leadership change will not affect the ship's mission or schedule.

“The Navy requires its commanders to adhere to the highest standards and holds them accountable when those standards are not met,” stated the US Navy in a statement on Friday.