The U.S. Navy has dismissed Cmdr. Robert Moreno, the commanding officer of the USS Wyoming Blue Crew, due to a loss of confidence in his leadership abilities. This decision was announced on Wednesday by Rear Adm. Bob Wirth, commander of Submarine Group Ten. The Navy emphasized that commanding officers are expected to adhere to high standards of conduct and accountability.
In a statement, the Navy said, “Navy commanding officers are held to high standards of personal and professional conduct. They are expected to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, reliability, and leadership, and the Navy holds them accountable when they fall short of those standards.” While the release did not specify the reasons for Moreno’s dismissal, the term “loss of confidence” is commonly used by the Navy in such situations involving senior leadership.
Following Moreno’s relief of duty, Capt. David Burke, who serves as the deputy for training with Submarine Squadron 20, will assume temporary command of the USS Wyoming. The vessel, an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine home-ported in Kings Bay, Georgia, is currently undergoing maintenance, and the change in command is not expected to impact its operations.
Cmdr. Moreno enlisted in the Navy in 2005 and took command of the USS Wyoming on May 14, 2024. He has since been reassigned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. Before his tenure on the Wyoming, Moreno held notable positions as commander of Joint Force Maritime Component and Submarine Force Atlantic, both based in Norfolk, Virginia.
The Navy has seen a wave of leadership changes this year. In February 2025, the chief of naval operations was relieved of duty, followed by the commanding officer of Navy Information Operations Command Colorado in April. In May, the commanding officer of Navy Reserve Center in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the executive officer for the Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants were also relieved.
More recently, a Navy doctor was dismissed following a controversial social media incident involving Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In September, the commanding officer of the USS Santa Barbara was also relieved of command. These high-profile firings reflect a trend within the Navy, particularly following Hegseth’s earlier decisions to dismiss several top aides, including senior advisor Dan Caldwell and deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick.
As the Navy continues to navigate these leadership changes, the focus remains on maintaining operational integrity and adherence to established standards within its ranks.
