The Pentagon chief says the cuts maximize “strategic” and “operational readiness.”
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses has announced a sudden cut in the number of top-ranked executives in his latest move to streamline the world’s most powerful military.
In a memo on Monday, Heggs ordered a 20% reduction in the number of four-star generals and admirals (now the highest-ranking US personnel) and a 10% reduction in the number of general and flag officers.
Hegseth’s memo cut the number of National Guard officers by 20%.
According to the US military, the US military had 38 four-star generals or admirals as of March 31, 2025.
In a video describing “there are few GIS policies,” Hegseth said the US military currently has one troop for every 6,000 people during World War II and one troop for every 1,400 people.
“More generals and admirals can’t rival more success,” Heggs said in a video posted to X.
“Now, this is not a slash-and-burn exercise to punish high-ranking officers. We cannot move further away from the truth. This is a process deliberated with one goal, in collaboration with the general chief and co-headed, maximizing strategic preparation and operational preparation by carefully reducing the ranks of general and flag bearers.”
Hegseth did not specify which position to be cut.
Nearly 40 active four-star generals in the US military include the Co-Chief of Staff, Army Chief of Staff, Naval Operations Chief of Air Force Staff, and the heads of the US Africa Command, US European Command and US South Korea.
The cuts come as part of the broader willingness of President Donald Trump’s administration to reduce the size of the federal government and purge political enemies.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump or his support has led to several top military leaders being fired, including Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff Charles Q Brown and Secretary of the Navy Lisa Franchetti.
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