In a bold announcement Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed a sweeping plan to reduce the number of high-ranking military officers. He framed the decision as essential to refocus on frontline readiness and to fulfill President Trump’s vision of peace through strength.
Speaking to reporters, Hegseth said the military has grown too top-heavy. Currently, there is one general for every 1,400 troops. During World War II, the ratio was one general for every 6,000. He argued that now is the time for reform.
“This is about realigning our priorities,” Hegseth said. “We need more warfighters and fewer bureaucrats. We must refocus on frontline readiness.”
The plan will roll out in two phases. Phase one orders a 20% cut to four-star generals and flag officers in both active duty and the National Guard. In phase two, the department will eliminate another 10% of general and flag officers across all branches.
“This isn’t about punishing senior leaders,” Hegseth clarified. “We’re doing this with precision. It’s about maximizing strategic effectiveness.” He added that the Pentagon will work closely with the Joint Chiefs throughout the process.
He described the initiative as the “less generals, more GIs policy.” Hegseth also issued a memo on Monday to senior defense officials detailing the phased reductions. The memo emphasized leaner leadership and stronger combat readiness.
“Bloated headquarters will no longer drain resources from the warfighter,” he said. “We need to refocus on frontline readiness now.”
Congress controls the total number of generals allowed per branch. Current caps include 219 for the Army, 171 for the Air Force, and 150 for the Navy. The Marine Corps and Space Force have limits of 64 and 21 respectively.
During a public video message, Hegseth assured viewers the changes would be thoughtful yet swift. “This will be done with care,” he promised, “but it will be done without delay.”
By cutting excess and empowering frontline troops, Hegseth aims to reshape the military into a more agile, lethal force. He believes this move will bolster national security and restore trust in military leadership.
In his words, “The mission is clear — we must refocus on frontline readiness.”
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