Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, ordered a reduction in the military’s highest-ranking officers, possible sparking a fight with Congress, which has to approve any such adjustments.
Hegseth demanded a 20 % reduction in all four-star positions in the active-duty military, 20 % of all general officers in the National Guard, and at least 10 % of generals and admirals in a memo released on Monday.
Hegseth said in a video posted on social media Monday afternoon that “more generals and admirals does not equal more success,” adding that” this is not a slash-and-burn practice meant to condemn high-ranking soldiers. The proposed shifts, according to him, were the result of” a democratic approach” carried out in collaboration with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Army to increase military readiness for and success in a potential conflict.
He described a gradual approach that had first tackle the military’s current structure, then carry out” a proper evaluation of the Unified Command Plan,” which aids in the organization of military responsibilities and operations worldwide.
Hegseth predicted the review may rival the 1986 restructuring of the DoD Department , which was led by Congress, and was done” with caution.” He said,” It’s going to be done properly, but it’s going to be done expeditiously. We are in a constantly evolving threat culture. We can’t afford to wait.
Hegseth has long criticized what he thinks are redundancies and inconsistencies at the Pentagon’s top rates.
The secretary ordered the Army to stop purchasing specific aircraft and ground vehicles, and to combine various commands, potentially paving the way for the elimination of some four-star public positions.
Hegseth dubbed the plan order, “less generals, more GIs,” in a film released on Monday, claiming that the government had to be “lean and imply” to deal with the challenges that lay ahead.
Hegseth said,” We’re going to shift resources from bloated office components to our warfighters,” noting that in World War II, 17 four- and five-star officials commanded the American military forces of 12 million soldiers.
He claimed that there are 2.1 million active users and 44 four-star generals and admirals in the world today.
As of September 2023, there were 37 four-star officials in full, according to a , March 2024 , a document from the Congressional Research Service.
Many senior officials work together in different positions, such as the head of U.S.  , European Command, who is also NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe. One four-star agent is also the chief of Korea, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S.  .
Hegseth’s strategy may face investigation in Congress, which, according to the legislative website, “has enacted an array of laws that govern essential elements of military commander personnel administration, including appointments, assignments, grades, promotions, and separations.”
On Monday night, the Defense Department did not respond to a request for comment right away.
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