WASHINGTON: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced a directive for a minimum 20% reduction in the number of active-duty four-star generals and admirals in the U.S. military, according to a memo released by the defense secretary.
This action marks a significant restructuring within the Pentagon during President Donald Trump’s current term, which has already seen the removal of several high-ranking officials this year.
The memo outlines an additional 10% decrease in the overall count of general and flag officers, as well as a 20% reduction in the number of general officers within the National Guard.
However, it does not detail how these cuts will be executed.
As of March 2025, there were 38 four-star officers—the maximum rank typically attainable in the U.S. military—and a total of 817 generals and admirals serving in active duty.
The objective of these cuts is to eliminate “redundant force structures” to enhance and streamline leadership by reducing the number of excess general and flag officer roles, the memo stated.
“With these actions, we will maintain our status as the most formidable fighting force globally, achieving peace through strength and ensuring increased efficiency, innovation, and readiness for any future challenges,” it further elaborated.
Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has overseen a significant turnover among top officers, including the dismissal of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles “CQ” Brown in February without any stated reason.
Other senior leaders removed this year included the heads of the Navy and Coast Guard, the general overseeing the National Security Agency, the Air Force’s vice chief of staff, a Navy admiral assigned to NATO, and three top military attorneys.
Hegseth has asserted that the president is simply selecting the leaders he prefers, while Democratic lawmakers have voiced concerns regarding the potential politicization of the traditionally nonpartisan U.S. military.
