On May 5, 2023, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth implemented significant changes within the Pentagon, ordering a 20% reduction in the number of four-star officers. This move marks a deepening of ongoing cuts within the Department of Defense, occurring at a pivotal time as President Donald Trump begins his second term in office. Hegseth, known for his outspoken views on military hierarchy, believes the senior ranks of the military are excessively large.
In a swift and decisive manner, Hegseth has taken steps to reshape the Department of Defense. This includes the dismissal of several high-ranking generals and admirals as part of his efforts to advance Trump’s national security agenda and eliminate what he perceives as discriminatory diversity initiatives. According to a memo first reported by Reuters, the plan involves not only a minimum 20% reduction in general officers within the National Guard but also an additional 10% cut among general and flag officers throughout the military.
In a video posted on X, Hegseth emphasized his belief that an increase in the number of generals and admirals does not guarantee greater success on the battlefield. “This is not a slash and burn exercise meant to punish high-ranking officers; nothing could be further from the truth,” he stated. Hegseth collaborated with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure that these cuts aim to enhance strategic readiness. He previously mentioned the inverse relationship between staff size and victory in military operations, referencing the existing 44 four-star positions in the military.
While the specific positions to be eliminated remain unclear, Hegseth indicated that he is considering merging various combatant commands. This could involve combining U.S. African Command with U.S. European Command, potentially resulting in the elimination of one four-star position. Similarly, he is contemplating a merger between U.S. Southern Command, which oversees operations in Central and South America, and U.S. Northern Command. Other four-star positions under review include the leadership of U.S. Army forces in the Pacific and U.S. forces in Korea.
The upheaval at the Pentagon is not confined to uniformed personnel. In recent weeks, three top officials were dismissed following a leak investigation initiated by Hegseth's chief of staff on March 21. Among those let go was Dan Caldwell, a long-time associate of Hegseth and one of his trusted advisors. Caldwell was escorted out of the Pentagon last week due to alleged leaks, which he denies. Also terminated was Hegseth's deputy chief of staff, Darin Selnick.
The ongoing changes within the Pentagon under Secretary Hegseth highlight a significant shift in military leadership and strategy as the Department of Defense adapts to new priorities and challenges in the current geopolitical landscape.
