Photo: U.S. Navy
The United States Navy quickly deleted a photo posted on social media showing Commander Cameron Yaste, the captain of the guided-missile destroyer USS John S McCain, firing a rifle after people noticed a major mistake.
"From engaging in practice gun shoots, conducting maintenance, testing fuel purity and participating in sea and anchor details, the #USNavy is always ready to serve and protect," the post was captioned.
The photo was also sent out in a press release.
Unfortunately, there was a glaring gaffe, which social media users quickly caught. In the photo, the rifle's scope is backward, and the lens cap is still on.
The U.S. Marines responded to the mistake by sharing a photo of a Marine firing a rifle during a recent live-fire exercise aboard the USS Boxer.
"Clear Sight Picture #Marines assigned to the @15thMEUOfficial conduct a live-fire deck shoot aboard the @usnavy amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, April 6. The 15th MEU is currently embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group conducting routine operations. #BlueGreenTeam," the Marine Corps wrote on X.
A Navy spokesman responded to the error and said, "Thank you for pointing out our rifle scope error in the previous post. Picture has been removed until EMI is completed!"
EMI stands for extra military instruction and is "a nonpunitive training device intended to improve efficiency of a command or unit."