Pete Hegseth will announce a plan to cut the number of positions reserved for U.S. generals and admirals by about 20 percent, officials told multiple outlets ahead of his Sept. 30 Pentagon speech.
The move, which Hegseth frames as a Pentagon leadership overhaul, would reduce senior officer billets across the armed services, officials said to outlets including Reuters and Fox News.
This reduction is sizable: Federal News Network reported a 20% cut would remove roughly 170 active‑duty generals and admirals from the force structure, leaving about 680 such officers in place, and other outlets confirmed the proposal.
Defense officials told press the change affects posts reserved for flag and general officers rather than enlisted or junior officer ranks, and that it follows earlier directives from Hegseth to slim senior ranks.
Analysts and service leaders have warned such cuts can change command span and require reshaping headquarters and staff structures; coverage in The Washington Post and Bloomberg noted the plan would force the services to reallocate responsibilities and could accelerate retirements or reassignments.
Hegseth has pursued reductions in senior ranks before: outlets reported he ordered cuts in four‑star slots and National Guard general numbers in prior actions, and officials say the new 20% figure expands that effort across more grades.
The proposal arrives amid political fallout over Hegseth’s tenure; past reporting in the site’s pool documented House moves and impeachment actions targeting him, showing the personnel plan is unfolding alongside broader congressional scrutiny.
Sources
- Reuters — reported Hegseth is set to announce a 20% cut in positions for generals and admirals.
- Federal News Network — provided the estimate that a 20% reduction would remove about 170 active‑duty generals and admirals, leaving roughly 680.
- Fox News — published reporting that Hegseth will reduce the number of positions reserved for generals and admirals.
- The Washington Post — explained how the cuts would require reshaping headquarters and staff responsibilities.
- Bloomberg — reported Pentagon officials saying the cuts target posts reserved for senior officers.
