WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- War Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to announce a 20% cut in general and flag officer billets during a speech at Quantico.
- Some future jobs would receive lower rank designations, while other billets would be canceled rather than filled by new officers.
- The new target increases the minimum 10% reduction Hegseth outlined last year.
- Hegseth previously ordered a 20% reduction in officers holding four star rank and defended removing senior military leaders.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to announce a 20% reduction in the number of positions designated for generals and admirals, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday. The planned cuts represent a major expansion of a target Hegseth established last year.
Hegseth is expected to outline the plan during a Wednesday speech at Quantico, Virginia. Hundreds of junior officers and enlisted officials are expected to hear him discuss his priorities for the military.
The two officials described the anticipated announcement on the condition of anonymity. They said Hegseth plans to cut billets reserved for general and flag officers by 20%.
Those billets cover generals and admirals holding ranks from one star through four stars. The new target is an increase from the minimum 10% reduction Hegseth laid out last year.The plan is not expected to take the form of simply firing every person connected to an affected position. One official said the rank assigned to some future jobs would be changed, while other billets would be canceled entirely.
The plan is not expected to take the form of simply firing every person connected to an affected position. One official said the rank assigned to some future jobs would be changed, while other billets would be canceled entirely.
That distinction places the immediate focus on the military’s position structure and the ranks attached to future assignments. Some jobs would remain but carry a different rank, while other designated positions would disappear under the plan described by the officials.
Hegseth has moved rapidly to reshape the War Department and its senior leadership. His actions have included firing senior officers across the military while also addressing personnel issues described as niche.
