US Military to Cut 20% of Generals and Admirals

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. military will reduce its roster of generals and admirals by 20%. The announcement came during Hegseth's "State of the Force" address, delivered to junior officers and enlisted leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

Hegseth stated that he directed all military services to double a previous 10% reduction ordered in the spring. The full 20% decrease, affecting approximately 800 flag and general officer positions, is to be completed by January 1, 2027. "I call it accountability and long overdue," Hegseth said.

The Pentagon chief also announced the creation of a new four-star command tasked with overseeing the integration of autonomous and robotic capabilities, a move he described as "the fastest peacetime shift in modern military history."

This initiative follows a recent decision to revert an Army unit in Europe, which specialized in drone warfare, back to a traditional infantry battalion. This reversal prompted questions from a bipartisan group of lawmakers concerned about the military's adaptation to evolving battlefield tactics that increasingly rely on uncrewed systems.

Hegseth's address comes amidst ongoing U.S. military operations, including a protracted conflict with Iran that has strained resources and led to significant expenditure on missile interceptors. The war has also seen U.S. troops sustain casualties from intermittent drone and missile attacks launched by Iran, despite Hegseth's claims that Iran's military infrastructure and leadership have been significantly degraded.

During his speech, Hegseth highlighted investments made during the Trump administration to accelerate weapons arsenal expansion. However, experts indicate that U.S. military contractors may require at least three years to replenish stockpiles of key weapons systems heavily utilized in the conflict with Iran.

Some lawmakers have voiced criticism regarding the cuts to the general officer ranks. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a former Navy pilot, described the moves as a "purge" that could take a generation to recover from. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed a desire to understand Hegseth's rationale behind the decision, noting that "If it's simply a matter of eliminating a very heavy top, there may be some validity to it, but I want to see it first."

This latest reduction follows previous actions by the Trump administration and Hegseth, which have seen more than two dozen military leaders removed or pushed into retirement. These departures have included senior officers who are women or people of color, and notably, the Army's top uniformed officer, Gen. Randy George. Last year's cuts targeted 20% of active duty four-star general officers and top National Guard positions, though the completion status of those reductions remains unclear. The current cuts could encompass any officer ranked one-star general or above, or their naval equivalents. While the number of general officer positions is set by law, the military can achieve reductions by not filling vacancies.