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When the news broke that the Navy Reserve Center Wyoming commander fired was more than just a local rumor, it sent a ripple through the military community. Most people see the Navy as a massive, untouchable machine, but at the ground level, leadership is fragile. In December 2024, the Navy officially relieved Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Bourque of his duties. He had been leading the Navy Reserve Center (NRC) Cheyenne—the primary hub for sailors in the Equality State—for exactly one year.
Military firings are rarely messy in public. They are clean, clinical, and wrapped in a specific kind of jargon that tells you everything and nothing at the same time. The phrase used for Bourque was "loss of confidence." Honestly, that's the military equivalent of "it's not you, it's me," except in this case, it’s definitely you.
The December Shakeup in Cheyenne
It happened on a Tuesday. December 3, 2024. Capt. Christopher Peppel, who heads the Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command in Everett, Washington, made the call. Bourque wasn't just moved; he was stripped of his command effective immediately.
Usually, when a commander is fired, the Navy is tight-lipped. They issued a brief statement about maintaining high standards. You know the drill. "The Navy maintains the highest standards for commanding officers and holds them accountable when those standards are not met." It’s a boilerplate response that usually hides a much more complicated reality.
Who is Christopher Bourque?
Bourque took the reins at NRC Cheyenne in December 2023. Before that, he’d been working in an office that dealt with deploying individual reservists. He was the guy who made sure people got where they needed to go.
Then he moved to Wyoming.
For a few months, things seemed normal. He was even photographed at the 2024 Cheyenne Frontier Days pancake breakfast, flipping pancakes for the community. That’s a big deal in Cheyenne. You’re the face of the Navy in a landlocked state. If you’re at the pancake breakfast, you’re doing the "community outreach" part of the job correctly. But behind the scenes, something was off.
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Why "Loss of Confidence" Is Such a Big Deal
The term "loss of confidence" is basically a catch-all. It’s a legal safety net for the military. It can mean a lot of things:
- Poor performance on evaluations.
- Personal misconduct.
- A toxic work environment.
- Financial mismanagement.
In Bourque’s case, sources like Military.com later reported that the firing was linked to a matter of personal conduct. Interestingly, officials noted that the conduct didn't involve other sailors. That’s a key detail. It suggests that whatever happened wasn't a case of harassing subordinates, but rather a personal failing that made the Navy decide he could no longer lead.
An investigation was involved. When the Navy investigates a CO, it’s rarely a quick chat. It’s a deep dive into logs, emails, and personal behavior.
The Submarine Connection: A Different Wyoming Firing
If you’ve been searching for the "Navy Reserve Center Wyoming commander fired," you might have stumbled upon news about the USS Wyoming. This is where things get confusing for folks not in the military loop.
There are two "Wyomings" in the Navy:
- NRC Cheyenne: The physical building in Wyoming that supports reserve sailors.
- USS Wyoming (SSBN-742): A massive nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.
In a strange twist of timing, the commander of the USS Wyoming was also fired recently. In October 2025, Cmdr. Robert Moreno was relieved of command of the submarine's "Blue Crew." This was part of a larger wave of firings under the current leadership. Moreno was an enlisted sailor who worked his way up to commanding a boat that carries nuclear weapons. That’s a huge fall from grace.
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So, if you’re seeing headlines about a Wyoming commander being fired in late 2025, it’s likely Moreno. If you’re looking at the end of 2024, it’s Bourque. The Navy has been very busy lately cleaning house.
What Happens to NRC Cheyenne Now?
After Bourque was ousted, the Navy didn't just leave the lights off. Lt. Cmdr. Margaret Nichols was stepped in as the interim commander. She stayed in the role until March 2025.
On March 20, 2025, a formal change of command ceremony took place in the NRC Cheyenne Drill Hall. Lt. Cmdr. Edward Enborg took over the post. He’s now the one responsible for the 65 or so reserve sailors and the small full-time staff in Cheyenne.
Enborg’s job is basically to fix the culture. When a commander is fired for conduct or a "loss of confidence," the morale in the unit usually takes a hit. People start looking over their shoulders. Enborg's first speech was all about "operational excellence" and "empowering sailors." Standard stuff, but necessary when the previous guy was escorted out.
Why the Navy is Firing So Many Commanders
Bourque’s firing wasn't an isolated incident. In 2024 alone, at least 13 commanding officers were fired. In 2023, that number was 15. The Navy is on a bit of a "firing frenzy," as some veterans call it.
There’s a debate in the ranks about this. Some say the Navy is finally holding people accountable for "toxic leadership." Others argue that the standards have become so "zero-defect" that good officers are being crushed for minor mistakes.
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Whatever the case, the Wyoming reserve center is just a small cog in a very large, and currently very stressed, machine. The center provides medical, administrative, and training support. It’s not a combat zone, but it is the backbone of readiness. If the commander isn't "warfighting ready," as the Navy likes to say, they're gone.
How this affects the Reservists
Most of the sailors at NRC Cheyenne are "weekend warriors." They show up once a month. They have civilian jobs. They’re mechanics, teachers, and small business owners in Wyoming.
When their commander gets fired, it complicates their lives. Orders get delayed. Evaluations get stalled. Training schedules get shifted. It’s a headache for the people who are just trying to serve their country while living a normal life in the Rockies.
Actionable Insights for Military Families and Personnel
If you are a reservist or a family member affected by leadership changes at a center like NRC Cheyenne, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Documentation is King: During a leadership vacuum or transition, paperwork often gets lost. Ensure you have physical or digital copies of all your most recent evals and orders.
- Stay Out of the Gossip: Military towns like Cheyenne love to talk. Speculation about "personal conduct" can get nasty. It’s better for your career to stay neutral until the official investigation results (if ever released) are public.
- Direct Inquiries: If your mobilization or benefits are being affected by the change in command, don't wait for the interim to find you. Reach out to the Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) staff directly. They are the full-time backbone of the center and usually stay through command changes.
The firing of the Navy Reserve Center Wyoming commander serves as a stark reminder: in the military, your reputation is your currency. Once the Navy loses "confidence," there’s almost no way to get it back. Bourque was reassigned to Navy Reserve Forces Command—a common "holding pen" for officers who have been relieved—but for all intents and purposes, his career trajectory has hit a brick wall.
For the sailors in Cheyenne, the focus remains on the mission. New leadership, new standards, and hopefully, a lot less drama at the next pancake breakfast.
Next Steps for Staying Informed
To keep track of leadership changes and official Navy statements regarding NRC Cheyenne, you should monitor the official Navy Personnel Command press releases or the DVIDS (Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) hub, which frequently posts photos and transcripts of change of command ceremonies. These sources provide the most accurate, non-sensationalized updates on military personnel movements in Wyoming.