In his most recent effort to streamline the world’s most powerful military, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced drastic reductions in the number of top-ranking officers.
Hegseth ordered a 20% drop in the number of four-star generals and admirals, who are currently the highest-ranking members of the US military, as well as a 10% drop in the number of general and flag officers in a memo on Monday.
In addition, Hegseth’s memo mandated a 20% reduction in the National Guard’s general officers.
As of March 31, 2025, the US military lacked 38 four-star generals or admirals, according to information from the US Department of Defense.
Hegseth explained the “Less Generals, More GIs Policy” in a video explaining how the US military currently has one general for every 1,400 soldiers, compared to one for every 6, 000 during World War II.
Hegseth stated in the video posted on X that “more generals and admirals do not equal more success.”
“This is not a slash-and-burn exercise designed to punish high-ranking officers,” the statement continued. Nothing about this is more unbelievable than that. Working with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, this deliberate process aims to maximize operational readiness and strategic readiness by making prudent reductions in the ranks of the general and flag officers.
Hegseth did not specify the positions being cut.
The US military’s nearly 40 active four-star generals include the heads of US Africa Command, US European Command, and US Forces Korea, as well as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the army’s chief of staff, the chief of naval operations, and the Air Force’s chief of staff.
The administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government and eliminate perceived political foes are part of a wider effort.
Source: Aljazeera
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