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Navy’s Backward Scope Blunder Sparks Online Mockery

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The U.S. Navy found itself in the crosshairs of public opinion this week after sharing an image that showed Commander Cameron Yaste, executive officer aboard the USS John S. McCain, firing a rifle.

The photo was initially shared on the Navy’s official Instagram page, with a caption that read, “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.”

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Tang (via Internet Archive)

However, it wasn’t long before keen-eyed observers spotted a glaring error in the image that was taken on March 24. Some noted that the foregrip on the rifle seemed to be farther from the center than it should be, while others found fault with Yaste’s stance or his decision to shoot on a three-round burst.

The most glaring error, however, was the fact that the scope on the rifle was mounted backward, with the cap still on. This prompted a wave of memes and mockery online, eventually leading the Navy to remove the post from its Instagram page.

Once the image was shared, it wasn’t long before the jokes started to roll in. Memes were created, with other branches of the military also joining the fray, sharing images of their own service members firing rifles with properly mounted scopes.

The National Guard posted an image of two guardsmen firing rifles with just a side-eyes emoji as the caption.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Marine Corps shared a photo of Marines assigned to Bravo Company, conducting a live-fire deck shoot aboard the U.S. Navy’s USS Boxer. The Marines’ post was aptly captioned, “Clear Sight Picture.”

The military comedy Instagram page, @dearmomimdead, also chimed in with a post that read, “HEY NAVY. I FIXED UR SH!T…,” direct, and perhaps less charitable than the posts shared by the USMC and the National Guard.

Despite the humor, Task and Purpose made it clear that the U.S. Navy “is without equal on the open seas” and is more than capable of obliterating America’s foes when playing to its strengths.

However, they also noted, “If an engagement calls for rifles, Marines will be there to help them out.” Task and Purpose then provided a visual indication of how the scope should have been mounted.

Even lawmakers had their say on the matter. Representative Mike Collins (R-Ga.) shared an image of a gun with the barrel pointed toward the would-be shooter, writing, “Navy’s newly issued sidearm.”

Though many found the humor in the situation, others saw it as a concerning sign, with one user noting, “We’re going to lose a major war.”

An archive of now-deleted images on the Department of Defense’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service shows that Yaste posed with the rifle on at least two other occasions, with the scope correctly mounted.

In response to the online discourse, the Navy noted, “Thank you for pointing out our rifle scope error in the previous post. [The] picture has been removed until EMI [extra military instruction] is completed! #Readiness.”

Stars and Stripes pointed out that EMI is defined by the Navy as “instruction in a phase of military duty in which an individual is deficient, and is intended for and directed towards the correction of that deficiency.”

Commander Yaste, despite the error in the photo, has a notable service record. He previously served as division officer aboard the USS Bataan, as weapons and executive officer aboard Patrol Coastal crew HOTEL, and as combat systems and weapons officer aboard the USS Hopper.


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5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. ardvark

    April 27, 2024 at 12:56 pm

    I remember when Clinton was in South Korea and was looking toward the North Korean side with binoculars, which had the lens cap on and he chewed out the person who gave them to him rather then admit he did not remove them! But since he was a democrat that story did not float long!

  2. Phil

    April 27, 2024 at 3:15 pm

    Must be Captain Parker from McHale’s Navy

  3. Robert Laity

    April 28, 2024 at 10:16 am

    Was Kevin Tang’s MOS PO3 Mass Media Specialist? He did not NOTICE anything when taking the picture? Perhaps HE needs an EMI session as well. Who is the man with his hand on the Captain’s shoulder? He didn’t notice either? MMs are supposed to be trained in Publlic relations as well as planning and framing picture takes.

  4. jeff Taylor

    April 28, 2024 at 10:12 pm

    Thats pretty sad for a senior officer, or anyone else come to think of it. There was a time when enlistee’s already had firearms training from their time growing up, but since the .GOV’s continuing war on private gun ownership its not as prevalent as it once was, and we are paying the price now.

  5. David

    April 30, 2024 at 2:07 pm

    This commander is looking through the wrong end of the scope with the dust covers intact with sunglasses on, what did he think he was shooting at being the scope was all dark?

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Trio of Burglars No Match for Armed Homeowner

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A residential disturbance involving armed intruders striking after midnight in Hamilton County, Tennessee, took a fatal turn last week.

The homeowner, faced with a trio of trespassers, defended their property with lethal force. Two of the intruders managed to flee, but one failed to escape and met an untimely end on the premises.

The event transpired on Shirley Pond Road, in the neighborhood of Harrison, approximately half an hour northeast of Chattanooga. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident around 1:25 a.m. and proceeded to conduct an initial investigation.

“Three armed suspects broke into the home, and the homeowner confronted them, after which gunfire was exchanged.”

Amidst the flurry of bullets, one of the invaders was hit and subsequently succumbed to their injuries on site. The Sheriff’s office added that the other two intruders made their escape through a window, fleeing the scene.

Despite an immediate search of the area by law enforcement personnel, the two fleeing suspects eluded capture. As the investigation is ongoing, officials are withholding the identities of all involved parties.

The homeowner, whose identity is being protected for safety reasons, revealed that this was the second consecutive night his home had been targeted. This spate of home invasions has left residents of the typically peaceful neighborhood in shock.

The Sheriff’s office investigators emphasized that this type of crime is an anomaly in the area. The community shared their thoughts about the unexpected situation, with sentiments ranging from advocacy for strength and self-defense to relief for the homeowner’s safety.

“We the people must remain vigilant; [when there’s a] home invasion, shoot first and ask questions later; remind the perps that this ain’t [California]; we’re armed and not scared to use ’em; WE ARE THE SOUTH!” one resident opined.

Another comment on social media stated, “Good; perpetrators shouldn’t break into homes; it’s called divine intervention; get a job.”

Meanwhile, a comment under the WTVC story read, “I’m thankful the victim was able to defend family, home, and life.”

The investigation continues, as does the neighborhood’s recovery from an unnerving ordeal. Moving forward, it’s clear that vigilance, preparedness, and community solidarity will be more important than ever in maintaining safety and peace of mind.


In light of the recent incident where a homeowner shot armed burglars, what role should firearms play in home defense?

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Home Security Video Shows Armed Intruder’s Blunder with Unloaded Gun

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A terrifying encounter with an armed intruder was captured on surveillance footage at a residence in McDowell County, North Carolina. The couple residing in the home shared the chilling footage, featuring an individual identified as Tyler Messer, with local media and authorities.

Standing on their back porch, Messer was recorded as he pointed an unloaded rifle at the couple, who were inside their dwelling at the time.

Preston McHone, one of the homeowners, detailed the spine-chilling event to WLOS:
“As I’m folding one towel, I have my phone lying in front of me and I see an alert that there’s some motion on the back. So, I just turn around and yell, ‘Billy, there’s somebody at our back door with a gun,’”

The incident occurred around 11 p.m., with Messer still present on the porch, appearing to attempt to fire his weapon. Audio captured by the surveillance video failed to register any gunshot sounds, suggesting the gun’s chamber was empty. It’s still unknown whether the gun simply misfired, as local news outlets have speculated.

Messer can be seen inspecting his weapon after the failed trigger pull, before hastily departing from the scene.

The suspect’s motivations remain uncertain. Official documents from the law enforcement investigation describe Messer as having mental health issues.
“Defendant is mentally ill. Defendant stated to family that he was going to rid the world of sin,” states the McDowell County Magistrate Bail Explanation Form.

McHone further dissected the eerie encounter, stating:
“As he pulls the trigger, he turns and, in that short turn, he’s realizing it didn’t go off because he’s supposed to, at that point, have shot [my partner] and would be turning towards me. He didn’t follow through because he missed one step, and that was loading his weapon.”

After the unnerving incident, the couple took shelter within their home, anxiously waiting for the police to arrive. They were soon informed that it wasn’t Messer’s first visit to their property. Over the past year, he had allegedly shown up at their residence three different times, reportedly searching for his father – a man the couple claims not to know.

Following the incident, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged Messer with assault by pointing a gun, first-degree trespassing, and stalking, and his bail was set at $200,000. Two days later, the 29-year-old’s charges were elevated to include attempted murder.


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85-Year-Old Idaho Woman Outsmarts, Eliminates Violent Intruder

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The tranquil serenity of rural Idaho was shattered recently when an 85-year-old woman was forced to defend her home and her life against a violent intruder.

The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office reported a chilling scene. The officers, who arrived in response to a distress call, found a man dead from gunshot wounds and the elderly homeowner injured but alive.

The nightmare unfolded around 2 a.m. as 39-year-old Derek Ephriam Condon parked his vehicle a mile away to avoid detection before breaking into the woman’s home. Dressed in a military jacket and black ski mask, Condon used a screwdriver to penetrate the home’s sanctuary through a window.

The once peaceful sleep of homeowner Christine Jenneiahn was brutally disrupted as Condon struck her in the head with his weapon. Evidence of this violent encounter was later confirmed by police who found traces of her blood on her pillow.

Jenneiahn was next dragged to the living room, where Condon handcuffed her to a wooden chair. He demanded the location of her valuables. When she insisted she had little of value, Condon’s frustration escalated, and he pressed his gun against her head.

In an attempt to deflect his anger, she told Condon about two safes located downstairs. As he went to investigate her claim, he discovered her disabled son in the home, further enraging him.

However, Condon’s departure offered Jenneiahn a lifeline. She seized the opportunity to drag herself and her chair towards her pillow, where she kept concealed a .357 Magnum revolver. With the weapon now in her possession, she waited for Condon’s next move.

According to Bingham County Prosecutor Ryan Jolley, Condon had made threats on Jenneiahn’s life as he ransacked her home. Sensing the imminent danger, she made the courageous decision to defend herself and fired her weapon at the intruder.

Condon was hit twice but managed to return fire, striking Jenneiahn multiple times with a 9mm gun. He eventually succumbed to his wounds in the kitchen, while Jenneiahn, still handcuffed to the chair, was left on the floor for 10 agonizing hours until her son could bring her a phone to call the police. She was subsequently transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The crime scene told a chilling tale. Police discovered Condon’s abandoned car near the home, with footprints leading right to the house. On Condon’s body, they found a set of lock picks and a bag filled with some of Jenneiahn’s possessions.

Bingham County Prosecutor Ryan Jolley labeled the ordeal as a “justifiable homicide” under the Idaho criminal code, praising Jenneiahn’s bravery in the face of extreme danger.

He remarked, “Her grit, determination, and will to live appear to be what saved her that night.”

He further added, “Christine was justified in taking any and all means necessary to defend herself and her son that night.” This story serves as a stark reminder that the will to survive can be a powerful force against the deepest adversity.


What is the best approach for senior citizens to ensure their safety at home?

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