Pentagon Head Plans to Cut Upper Echelons
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered a 20% reduction in the number of four-star generals and flag officers within the active-duty military to enhance efficiency. In a memo, Hegseth stated that this initiative would be followed...
TroibNews 
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered a 20% reduction in the number of four-star generals and flag officers within the active-duty military to enhance efficiency.
In a memo, Hegseth stated that this initiative would be followed by an additional 10% decrease among top officers across all military branches, including the National Guard.
These reductions come alongside the dismissal of over a half dozen senior generals since January, as the administration of President Donald Trump aims to cut excess federal spending through the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.
In announcing the cuts, Hegseth conveyed that they aim to eliminate “redundant force structure to optimize and streamline leadership” and are meant to relieve the military of “unnecessary bureaucratic layers.”
“More generals and admirals do not lead to more success,” Hegseth mentioned in a video shared on X.
“This is not a slash and burn exercise meant to punish high ranking officers; nothing could be further from the truth,” he emphasized.
Secretary Hegseth has also advocated for the removal of programs and leadership initiatives aimed at enhancing “diversity in the ranks.” He has sought to eliminate transgender service members and implement broad changes to create a uniform fitness standard for all combat roles.
The policy aligns with Trump’s broader efforts to dismantle many of the Biden administration’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across federal agencies and the military.
Earlier in the year, Trump dismissed General Charles Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the second African-American to hold that position. Brown had publicly supported the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.
As of May 2025, the U.S. military is reported to have approximately 653 active-duty generals and flag officers across all branches, with data from Southwest Journal indicating that 44 of these hold the rank of four-star general.
The U.S. Army has the highest tally of generals, totaling 231, which includes 11 four-star generals.
Despite ongoing efforts to reduce federal spending, the White House has sanctioned a historic defense budget of around $1 trillion, an increase from the current $894 billion.
In comparison, China, the second-largest defense spender in the world, has earmarked $256 billion for defense in 2025, while Russia, the third-largest, has allocated $157 billion.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
In a memo, Hegseth stated that this initiative would be followed by an additional 10% decrease among top officers across all military branches, including the National Guard.
These reductions come alongside the dismissal of over a half dozen senior generals since January, as the administration of President Donald Trump aims to cut excess federal spending through the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.
In announcing the cuts, Hegseth conveyed that they aim to eliminate “redundant force structure to optimize and streamline leadership” and are meant to relieve the military of “unnecessary bureaucratic layers.”
“More generals and admirals do not lead to more success,” Hegseth mentioned in a video shared on X.
“This is not a slash and burn exercise meant to punish high ranking officers; nothing could be further from the truth,” he emphasized.
Secretary Hegseth has also advocated for the removal of programs and leadership initiatives aimed at enhancing “diversity in the ranks.” He has sought to eliminate transgender service members and implement broad changes to create a uniform fitness standard for all combat roles.
The policy aligns with Trump’s broader efforts to dismantle many of the Biden administration’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across federal agencies and the military.
Earlier in the year, Trump dismissed General Charles Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the second African-American to hold that position. Brown had publicly supported the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.
As of May 2025, the U.S. military is reported to have approximately 653 active-duty generals and flag officers across all branches, with data from Southwest Journal indicating that 44 of these hold the rank of four-star general.
The U.S. Army has the highest tally of generals, totaling 231, which includes 11 four-star generals.
Despite ongoing efforts to reduce federal spending, the White House has sanctioned a historic defense budget of around $1 trillion, an increase from the current $894 billion.
In comparison, China, the second-largest defense spender in the world, has earmarked $256 billion for defense in 2025, while Russia, the third-largest, has allocated $157 billion.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
