Hegseth Orders Major Cuts to U.S. Military Leadership
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- May 6
- 3 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Right-Leaning
Why: The policy aligns with conservative goals of reducing bureaucracy and emphasizes military efficiency, reflecting the Trump administration's broader agenda.
Overview
On May 5, 2025, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a significant reduction in the number of high-ranking military officers. The plan includes a 20% cut in four-star generals and admirals, a 10% reduction across all general and flag officer ranks, and a 20% decrease in National Guard generals. This initiative is part of the "Less Generals More GIs" policy aimed at streamlining military leadership and enhancing operational readiness.
Details of the Reduction
Four-Star Officers: The U.S. military currently has 44 four-star generals and admirals. The new plan mandates a 20% reduction in these top-tier positions.
General and Flag Officers: Beyond the four-star ranks, there are over 800 general and flag officers. A 10% cut is being implemented across these ranks.
National Guard: The National Guard will see a 20% reduction in its general officer positions.
These reductions will be carried out in two phases. The first phase focuses on immediate cuts to four-star roles and National Guard generals. The second phase involves a broader review of the military's Unified Command Plan, which may lead to further structural changes.
Rationale Behind the Cuts
Secretary Hegseth has argued that the military is too top-heavy, noting that today there is one general for every 1,400 troops, compared to one for every 6,000 during World War II. He stated that “more generals and admirals do not equal more success,” stressing that the goal is to boost readiness and improve the military’s strategic capabilities.
The initiative is in line with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce the size of the federal government and trim down spending. Hegseth has been critical of excessive bureaucracy within the armed forces and aims to direct more resources to support personnel on the front lines.
Potential Structural Changes
As part of the review, the Department of Defense is considering combining certain combatant commands. These could include merging the U.S. European Command with the U.S. Africa Command and consolidating the Northern and Southern Commands. The Army is also planning to eliminate 40 general-led positions, reducing the number of commands and offices overseen by generals.
Reactions and Criticism
The announcement has received mixed reactions. Supporters argue the move will cut unnecessary bureaucracy and increase military efficiency. However, critics—including Senate Armed Services Committee members—have warned that the reductions might be arbitrary and could weaken the military’s effectiveness.
There are also concerns about the broader implications of recent leadership changes. Several top military officials have been dismissed in recent months, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Navy’s top admiral. Some observers worry these moves may risk politicizing the military and damaging its historically apolitical foundation.
Context and Background
Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former television host and veteran, has long criticized what he sees as excessive layers of military command. Since his appointment, he has pushed for reforms aimed at decentralizing military authority and enhancing frontline capabilities.
This initiative is considered the most significant shake-up of military leadership since the 1986 Goldwater-Nichols Act. While specific roles targeted for elimination have not yet been made public, the Department of Defense is expected to release further details as the restructuring moves forward.
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