Hegseth set to announce 20% cut in general, admiral positions

WASHINGTON, DC: After introducing a new battlefield-style assessment for eligible colonels and Navy captains, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is preparing to announce a 20% reduction in general and admiral positions across the US military.

Earlier, Pete Hegseth, in a video shared on social media, declared that the Defense Department this year will roll out the Joint Warfighter Evaluation this year, a new battlefield-style assessment for eligible colonels and Navy captains.

Pentagon braces for 20% staff cut in major shake-up

According to a report by The Hill, quoting Pentagon officials, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to announce a 20% reduction in positions for generals and admirals as part of his broader effort to restructure military leadership. 

The shake-up is expected to affect senior leadership positions across the Army, Navy, and the Air Force and the Defense Secretary will publicize the reductions on Wednesday, Sept 30, during his State of the Force address in Quantico, Va., the officials said.

Hegseth is scheduled to address junior officers and enlisted leaders at the Marine Corps base. He is expected to share his outline for the Pentagon for the upcoming months, along with announcing the major leadership shake-up.

The reported plan to reduce the workforce comes after he looked to cut the number of active-duty four-star generals and admirals in the US military by at least 10 percent last year.

Hegseth directed Pentagon to reduce general officers by 10 percent

In May 2025, Hegseth directed the Pentagon to cut the number of general officers in the National Guard by at least 20 percent. He also ordered a 10 percent cut in the total number of generals and admirals with a rank of one star or above.

In his order, Hegseth said he wanted “Less Generals, more GIs” and to “shift resources from bloated headquarters elements to our warfighters.

At the time, he had argued that the reduction was important to remove “redundant force structure to optimize and streamline leadership by reducing excess general and flag officer positions."

What are terms before troops to attend Hegseth's event

Earlier this month, Emails from the Pentagon sent to Army commanders revealed that the department ordered troops to meet “impeccable grooming and uniform standards (no exception)” to attend the 'State of the Force' address on Wednesday, Sept 30.

The Pentagon is requiring troops to meet waist-to-height requirements. Emails also revealed that troops selected to attend the event must be top performers.

Notably, Hegseth has fired or pushed out more than two dozen military leaders across the military branches since taking the leading role at the Pentagon