On Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses announced that the military will reduce its number of four-star general officers by 20% as part of efforts to improve efficiency.
He also instructed the National Guard to cut 20% of its upper leadership and further reduce flag officers by 10%, which may include one-star generals.
Explaining the rationale behind these staff reductions, Hegses stated that it aligns with the president’s desire for implementing a specific national security strategy.
In his memo regarding the cuts, Hegses emphasized the removal of redundant structures to streamline leadership, aiming to take the military out of what he termed an “unnecessary bureaucratic class.”
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), a Marine veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed concerns that Hegses might be politicizing the military.
“It seems he’s setting a stage to dismiss any generals who don’t align with him or the president,” Moulton remarked.
According to PBS, there are approximately 800 officers in total within the army, with only 44 being four-star generals or flag officers. The Army alone has 219 officers, including eight four-star generals.
Typically, cuts of this nature would be preceded by advance notice; however, council members received minimal warning regarding these changes, according to staff who wished to remain unnamed.
Last week, Hegses advocated for a “leaner, more effective force” to revamp military operations, proposing potential reforms such as merging or closing headquarters, eliminating outdated vehicles and aircraft, and cutting down up to 1,000 Pentagon staff positions.
