Washington (Agencies): U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced a major restructuring of the military’s leadership, ordering a 30% reduction in the number of four-star generals and admirals, along with a 20% cut in general officers within the Army and Air National Guard. The move is part of a broader effort to streamline command structures, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance operational efficiency.
Currently, the U.S. military has approximately 653 general officers, distributed across different branches: ? U.S. Army – 231 generals ? U.S. Navy – 162 admirals (equivalent to generals) ? U.S. Air Force – 198 generals ? U.S. Marine Corps – 62 generals
The restructuring plan, outlined in a Pentagon memorandum, will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will focus on reducing the number of four-star generals and admirals, as well as cutting National Guard general officers by 20%. The second phase will involve a deeper review of the Unified Command Plan, potentially leading to consolidation of combatant commands, such as merging U.S. Africa Command with U.S. European Command and U.S. Southern Command with U.S. Northern Command.
Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer, has long advocated for reducing bureaucracy within the Pentagon. He cited historical comparisons, noting that during World War II, there was one general for every 6,000 troops, whereas today, the ratio is one for every 1,400.
The decision has sparked debate among lawmakers, with some arguing that reducing senior leadership could undermine military readiness. However, Hegseth insists that the changes will maximize strategic effectiveness and ensure resources are directed toward combat forces rather than administrative overhead.
The Pentagon has yet to specify which positions will be eliminated, but officials indicate that the cuts will be implemented gradually. The Army has already created plans to reduce commands and offices led by generals by 40 positions, a significant reduction in the roughly 200 billets currently occupied by senior officers.
As the military undergoes this historic restructuring, analysts are closely watching how the changes will impact U.S. defense strategy and global military operations.