Hegseth has issued a memorandum ordering 20% reduction in the number of general officers and flag officers.
WASHINGTON – On May 5, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses ordered a 20% reduction in the number of US military four-star generals and flag officers as well as a reduction in the number of officers elsewhere.
Since President Donald Trump took office, his administration has declared his intention to reform the Department of Defense and its personnel policies. Already, Hegseth has ordered changes to training and recruitment, denied several top four-star officers, including CQ Brown’s co-chief Prime Minister, National Security Director General Timothy Haugh and Naval Operations Chief Lisa Franchetti.
On May 5, Hegses cut the memorandum to the total number of four-star officers by a minimum of 20%, a further 10% reduction in the National Guard’s overall “general and flag officers” (i.e., “one star or more) and all public and flag officers in the previous military by an additional 10%, excluding previous cuts.
“A critical step in this process is to remove redundant force structures to optimize and streamline leadership by reducing the position of excessive general executives… Through these measures, we will maintain our position as the world’s most lethal combat force.”
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To this end, the number of general duties and flag officer positions is set by the legislative assembly and is usually performed at the same time as the officer’s “billet” (i.e., posting or assignments at once) rather than being an individual’s rank. However, to maintain such a post, officers must be appointed and appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. This suggests that the administration will not dismiss officers and appoint alternatives to achieve cuts.
“We’re going to shift resources from the bloated headquarters elements to fighter jets,” Hegses said. “When we were fighting… During World War II, we had a strength of 12 million… there were 17 four star generals. Today we have 2.1 million soldiers with 44 four stars and flag officers.”
Congressional Democrats have not responded to this development. They have previously criticised the changes to the administration’s general officials and flag officials.
The Senate and House Armed Services Committees did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
