Hegseth plan would cut US general and admiral positions by 20%
The reported reductions are due by 1 January 2027. Senator Jack Reed says the changes should be made in consultation with Congress.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to announce a 20 per cent reduction in positions for generals and admirals during a “State of the Force” address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Al Jazeera reports, citing a Pentagon official.
The reported plan would double a 10 per cent reduction Hegseth ordered last year across roughly 800 flag and general officer positions. The further cuts are due to be completed by 1 January 2027. The exact roles affected and how the reductions would be carried out have not been specified.
The number of general officer positions is set by law, but positions can remain vacant if the administration does not submit nominees to Congress.
Senator Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said changes to senior leadership should be made in consultation with Congress. He said the committee had not received satisfactory answers about officer removals and promotion holds, and warned that the military was already under strain.
