The planned reduction would cover one- to four-star general and admiral positions, with some posts downgraded and others eliminated rather than officers being immediately dismissed.
WEB DESK: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to announce plans to reduce the number of positions reserved for generals and admirals by 20%, doubling the minimum reduction he outlined last year.
The announcement is expected during Hegseth’s address to hundreds of junior officers and enlisted personnel at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. Two US officials cited by Reuters confirmed details of the planned reduction.
Cuts to cover one- to four-star positions
The planned reduction would apply to billets for one- to four-star generals and admirals across the US military.
The changes would not necessarily mean the immediate dismissal of officers. According to a US official cited by Reuters, some positions would instead be downgraded in rank, while others would be eliminated.
The Pentagon is expected to implement the changes as part of a broader restructuring of senior military leadership.
Hegseth doubles earlier reduction target
The latest plan represents an increase from the minimum 10% reduction in general and flag officer positions that Hegseth outlined last year.
He had also previously ordered a 20% reduction in four-star general and admiral positions. The new proposal would extend the reduction across the broader group of one- to four-star positions.
Associated Press reporting said the latest target could amount to a reduction of roughly 800 general and flag officer positions by 20%, with the changes expected to be completed by January 1, 2027.
Pentagon leadership has already undergone changes
Hegseth has made several changes to the Pentagon’s senior leadership since taking office.
The Geo report notes that Army Chief of Staff General Randy George was removed in April. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown Jr and Navy Admiral Lisa Franchetti were also dismissed shortly before the US war with Iran began on February 28.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll also recently left his post after months of reported tensions with Hegseth. President Donald Trump subsequently appointed Adam Telle as acting Army secretary.
Plan comes amid Iran war
The planned restructuring comes while the United States remains engaged in its war with Iran.
The Pentagon has faced scrutiny over damage to US military bases and weapons losses during the conflict. The timing of the proposed reduction has therefore drawn attention to how changes in senior leadership could affect military operations.
ABC News reported that it remained unclear how the new reductions would be implemented or whether reducing senior positions during an ongoing war would affect day-to-day military operations.
Hegseth has defended Pentagon restructuring
Hegseth’s planned announcement follows a speech he delivered at Quantico last year in which he criticised what he described as “fat generals” and diversity initiatives in the military.
Reuters previously reported that Hegseth told military leaders that officers unhappy with his approach should resign. His broader restructuring agenda has focused on changing the Pentagon’s senior leadership structure and reducing the number of senior command positions.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment on the latest planned cuts
