MADISON, Wis. In a surprising turn of events, the U.S. Army has placed Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez, the first female commander of Fort McCoy, on suspension. This decision came to light after it was discovered that portraits of former President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been intentionally turned to face a wall in the bases chain of command area.

According to an official, albeit undated, statement released on the Fort McCoy website, Col. Baez Ramirezs suspension is not connected to any allegations of misconduct. However, the Army has not provided further specifics about the situation, stating only that the matter is currently under investigation.

This incident first gained attention on April 14, when the Department of Defense shared photographs via X, which is formerly known as Twitter. The images showed the portraits of Trump and Hegseth, both key figures within the military and political arenas, facing the wall, which raised eyebrows and prompted immediate inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the action. Subsequent photos revealed that the portraits had been restored to their correct positions, now facing the corridor as intended.

The Armys social media post addressing the controversy included a straightforward message: Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy ... WE FIXED IT! It also noted that an investigation had been initiated to ascertain the details of the incident.

As of now, attempts by The Associated Press to reach Fort McCoy public affairs officials for comment have gone unanswered, with no immediate response to emails or voicemail messages left on Wednesday morning.

Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez took command of Fort McCoy in July 2024. Prior to her appointment, she held the position of chief of the Reserve Program at the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Her military career began in 1999 when she was commissioned as a military intelligence officer through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. She possesses a robust educational background, including a bachelors degree in psychology/mental health from the University of Puerto Rico and a masters degree in strategic studies from the prestigious Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Throughout her distinguished career, Baez Ramirez has garnered numerous citations and decorations for her service. These accolades include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Defense Medal, reflecting her contributions to military operations and her leadership capabilities.

Her previous roles have been significant; she has served as the chief of operations for the U.S. Army Reserve Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as well as the deputy commander of the 501st Military Intelligence Brigade. Additionally, she was the deputy chief of the Special United States Liaison Advisor Korea at Camp Humphreys in the Republic of Korea, showcasing her extensive experience and leadership in various capacities.

Fort McCoy itself is a 93-square-mile training installation located in the picturesque countryside of western Wisconsin. Established in 1909, it has long served as a critical site for military training and operations, supporting the readiness of the Army and various other military components.