United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to cut the number of positions reserved for generals and admirals by 20 percent, according to a Pentagon official. This change will impact leadership across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Hegseth is expected to announce the decision on Wednesday during his 'State of the Force' address at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, where he will speak to junior officers and enlisted officials.
The Associated Press reported that Hegseth will instruct all military services to double the 10 percent reduction he ordered last year, affecting approximately 800 flag and general officer positions. This new directive aims for a total 20 percent decrease to be completed by January 1, 2027.
Reports indicate that the reductions could include any one-star general or above, or officers of equivalent Navy rank. The Washington Post noted that these cuts may impact the careers of hundreds of current and rising military leaders, following numerous firings and denied promotions in recent years.
Since taking office in January 2025, President Donald Trump and Hegseth have dismissed or encouraged the retirement of over two dozen military leaders, including the Army’s top uniformed officer, General Randy George, in April. The administration also terminated the only two women serving as four-star officers, alongside several other senior female officers. Other officials have departed through retirements and resignations, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who resigned this month after conflicts with Hegseth.
When Hegseth first announced the initiative to reduce the highest military ranks, he stated it aimed to eliminate redundant force structures to optimize leadership. In a memo from May 2025, he expressed a desire to remove unnecessary bureaucratic layers.
Last year, Hegseth also declared an end to 'woke' culture in the military and introduced new directives for troops, including 'gender-neutral' or 'male-level' standards for physical fitness.
Senator Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed concerns regarding Hegseth’s latest decision. He emphasized that eliminating senior leadership positions should involve consultation with Congress and warned that the planned cuts 'should alarm every American.'
Reed stated, 'Congress has been clear with the Secretary that he must consult this body and explain his reasoning for senior officer removals and promotion holds. To date, we have not received satisfactory answers.' He added, 'Our military is conducting major operations around the world, and the force is already under strain.'
The number of general officer positions is established by law, but positions may remain unfilled if the administration does not submit nominees to Congress.