US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to announce Wednesday that the Pentagon will cut by 20% the positions reserved for generals and admirals. According to two US officials, the move would double the 10% reduction he ordered last year across roughly 800 flag and general officer positions. The new target is to be completed by January 1, 2027.
Hegseth is expected to make the announcement during a “State of the Force” address to troops at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. The Pentagon confirmed he plans further cuts to the number of generals and admirals serving in the military.
The address comes a year after Hegseth abruptly summoned senior military leaders from around the world to Quantico and spoke about what he described as declining standards. This year, officials said, services were asked to nominate mostly junior and mid-ranking personnel, including high performers and winners of military competitions.
The planned reductions follow the departure or forced retirement of more than two dozen military leaders since President Donald Trump took office, including Army chief of staff Gen. Randy George. Last year, Hegseth also ordered a 20% reduction in active-duty four-star generals and top National Guard positions; it is unclear whether all those cuts have been completed.
Officials did not say whether reducing senior posts during the Iran war could disrupt military operations. Source: ABC News, citing two US officials.