Leadership Quandary: Officers’ Photos Missing and Colonel Suspended at Fort McCoy

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A Fort McCoy Army commander was suspended after photos of President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Defense Secretary Hegseth vanished from the base’s command wall, sparking a Pentagon investigation and swift military leadership action.

Quick Takes

Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez was suspended after chain-of-command photos of President Trump, VP Vance, and Defense Secretary Hegseth were missing from Fort McCoy.
The Army Reserve Command stated the suspension “is not related to any misconduct” and is under review.
The Pentagon rapidly replaced the missing photos following social media outrage.
This incident follows other recent military leadership changes, including a Space Force commander’s dismissal.
An investigation has been launched to determine how and why the photos disappeared.

Command Wall Photos Spark Military Crisis

Colonel Sheyla Baez Ramirez, garrison commander at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, found herself suspended after photos of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disappeared from the base’s chain-of-command display wall. The incident gained immediate attention when blank frames were spotted where the three officials’ photos should have been prominently displayed. Army officials quickly moved to address the situation after it was highlighted on social media, with the Defense Department launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the missing photographs.

The U.S. Army Reserve Command, in an official statement regarding Colonel Ramirez’s suspension, clarified, “This suspension is not related to any misconduct. We have no further details to provide at this time while this matter is under review.” Ramirez had been serving as the Fort McCoy garrison commander since July 2023. The Pentagon’s rapid response team later posted updated images showing that the command wall had been fixed with all proper photos restored, stating: “Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy… WE FIXED IT! Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened.”

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

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 21, 2025

High-Level Reactions and Chain of Command Protocol

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth himself drew attention to the incident by reposting 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,” wrote Hegseth. The situation underscores the military’s strict protocols regarding chain-of-command displays, which are required to show current leadership from the President down through military leadership in all official installations. These displays represent the command structure and authority within the U.S. military.

According to reports, Army Reserves officials suggested the display board was vandalized, and Fort McCoy leadership was allegedly unaware of the situation until it was brought to their attention. This explanation has raised additional questions about security and oversight at the base. The missing photos were first highlighted in a social media post showing the empty frames, which quickly gained traction online and prompted immediate action from military leadership, who responded by investigating the matter and suspending Colonel Ramirez pending review.

Broader Military Leadership Changes

Ramirez’s suspension comes amid a series of leadership changes within the U.S. military. In another recent case, Colonel Susannah Meyers was relieved of command at Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland. Her removal reportedly came after she attempted to distance herself from comments Vice President JD Vance made about Denmark’s oversight of Greenland security. Space Force officials emphasized in a statement, “Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties.”

The Pentagon has experienced additional turmoil in recent weeks, with Defense Secretary Hegseth dismissing four former aides following internal conflicts and a leak investigation. These dismissals were part of a broader probe into unauthorized disclosures of information. The series of leadership changes across multiple military branches signals a period of transition and realignment following the new administration taking office. Military commanders are navigating a landscape where adherence to chain of command and nonpartisan conduct has come under heightened scrutiny.