Colonel’s Suspension Sparks Controversy Over Chain-of-Command Photo at Fort McCoy

U.S. Army uniform with dog tags and American flag.

Fort McCoy’s commander Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez has been suspended after photos of President Trump, VP Vance, and Defense Secretary Hegseth mysteriously disappeared from the base’s chain-of-command display board.

Quick Takes

Colonel Ramirez was suspended after social media posts revealed blank photo frames where President Trump, VP Vance, and Defense Secretary Hegseth should appear.
Army Reserve Command claims the suspension “is not related to any misconduct” while the matter undergoes review.
The Army Reserves stated the command board was vandalized and Fort McCoy leadership was unaware until it was brought to their attention.
The Defense Department has launched an investigation and the missing photos have since been replaced.
This suspension follows other recent military leadership changes, including the firing of Space Force Base commander Col. Susannah Meyers.

Command Board Controversy Sparks Immediate Action

The suspension of Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez came swiftly after social media posts revealed the absence of key leadership photos from Fort McCoy’s chain-of-command display. The missing images of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prompted rapid action from military leadership. While the U.S. Army Reserve Command confirmed the suspension, they emphasized it was “not related to any misconduct.” Following the incident, the Defense Department initiated an investigation, and the missing photos were promptly replaced on the command board.

The controversy gained significant attention after Pete Hegseth himself reposted a message about the suspension on social media. “Commander of Fort McCoy, whose base chain-of-command board was missing photos of Trump, Vance and Hegseth, has been SUSPENDED,” noted the Defense Secretary in his repost. Fort McCoy officials later clarified that the board had been “vandalized” and that base leadership was unaware of the issue until it was brought to their attention through outside channels.

Army suspends commander after Trump, Vance, Hegseth vanish from command board https://t.co/VNNBHktVDp

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 21, 2025

Military Leadership Under Scrutiny

Colonel Ramirez, who assumed command of Fort McCoy in July of last year, now finds herself caught in a broader pattern of leadership changes within the U.S. military. This suspension follows closely behind other high-profile command changes, including the removal of Colonel Susannah Meyers from her position at Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland. Meyers was relieved due to what officials described as “a loss of confidence in her leadership” after she reportedly distanced herself from Vice President Vance’s comments regarding Denmark’s oversight of Greenland.

The Pentagon has emphasized that “Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties.” This statement underscores the military’s commitment to maintaining political neutrality among its leadership ranks, particularly during a time of political transition. The requirements for displaying chain-of-command photos are standard protocol across military installations, with missing or altered displays considered a serious breach of military custom.

Pentagon Confirms Resolution

Following the controversy, the Pentagon’s rapid response team was quick to address the situation publicly. “Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy… WE FIXED IT! Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened,” announced the Pentagon’s team. A new image was subsequently posted showing the updated display wall with all the required photos properly in place, demonstrating the military’s commitment to rectifying the issue promptly.

The Fort McCoy incident comes amid broader turbulence within the Pentagon. Recently, Defense Secretary Hegseth dismissed four former aides following internal conflicts and a leak investigation. This series of leadership changes highlights the Trump administration’s emphasis on loyalty and protocol adherence throughout the military chain of command. Fort McCoy, an Army installation located in western Wisconsin, serves as a major training center for reserve and active-duty military personnel, making any leadership disruption particularly notable.

As the investigation continues, military observers note this incident reflects the challenges of maintaining proper protocol during administrative transitions. The quick response to the missing photos demonstrates the current administration’s determination to maintain respect for the chain of command at all levels of military operation.