Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Bourque was fired from command of the Navy Reserve Center Cheyenne, the Navy announced Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Jeffry Willadsen/U.S. Navy )

WASHINGTON — The Navy fired the commanding officer of the Wyoming-based Reserve center, the service announced Tuesday.

Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Bourque was fired from the Navy Reserve Center Cheyenne due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command. Naval Reserve Command Cheyenne is a subordinate command of the Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command Everett in Washington state. The Wyoming-based command trains and manages Reserve sailors, preparing them to mobilize.

The U.S. military routinely cites only a vague “loss of confidence” when removing commanders and other leaders from authority positions.

“The Navy maintains the highest standards for commanding officers and holds them accountable when those standards are not met,” the Navy said in a statement.

Lt. Cmdr. Margaret Nichols has been temporarily assigned as the commanding officer of the reserve center until a permanent replacement is assigned. Bourque has been temporarily reassigned to Navy Reserve Forces Command.

Bourque assumed command of the Reserve training unit in April 2023. He was commissioned in the Navy in 2009. 

Bourque’s past assignments include the Navy Leadership and Ethics Center in Newport, R.I., the Navy Reserve Force and the Navy Recruiting Command, both in Washington, and Navy Surface Forces Pacific in San Diego. He has also served aboard the destroyer USS McFaul and the cruisers USS Bunker Hill and USS Princeton. 

He has accumulated numerous awards and decorations across his 15-year Navy career, including three commendation medals and four achievement medals.