Really nothing wrong with that pose. In ranks inspection of arms often requires the inspector to look down the barrel to check too see if it is clean. But, he only does this after the person holding the weapon has performed a clearing of the weapon. Normally the inspector takes the weapon in hand and double checks the weapon to see if it is cleared at the bolt before he starts looking down barrels etc.
I wouldn’t call that a fail, that’s been going on for a real long time, standard practise was to put your thumb nail in the breech reflecting light so the inspector can see down the barrel and ensure proper maintenance was being carried out.