Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez, commander of Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, has been temporarily suspended following the unexplained removal of official portraits of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from the base’s command board.
The missing portraits, part of the chain-of-command display required at military installations, sparked internal concern and prompted the Army Reserve Command to initiate a formal review. Though officials stated the suspension is not linked to any misconduct, they confirmed the matter is under investigation to determine how the oversight occurred.
The photos have since been replaced, but the incident has added to a recent string of military leadership controversies, including another command shakeup at Pituffik Space Force Base, where a colonel was dismissed for remarks allegedly critical of Vice President Vance.
Col. Baez Ramirez, who took over leadership at Fort McCoy in mid-2024, previously held a key intelligence position at Fort Belvoir. While no further details have been released, the Army emphasized that the suspension is a procedural step while the situation is evaluated.
The episode underscores heightened sensitivity within the military regarding adherence to command protocols and the visible display of civilian leadership, particularly amid ongoing political scrutiny of the armed forces.