Hegseth moves to reduce number of generals, admirals by 20%

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to announce a 20% reduction in the number of generals and admirals across the military during an address Wednesday.

According to CBS News, a Pentagon official said Hegseth will unveil the planned cuts at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, marking another effort to reshape senior military leadership.

In May 2025, Hegseth ordered a minimum 10% reduction in flag and general officers and a 20% cut among National Guard general officers, saying the changes would “drive innovation and operational excellence.”

As of July, the military had 851 active-duty generals and admirals, compared with a federal statutory cap of 857.

Hegseth previously argued that the military should be “unencumbered by unnecessary bureaucratic layers that hinder their growth and effectiveness.”

Democratic Senator Mark Kelly criticised the changes, saying, “We need strong leaders. These folks have decades of experience, some of the best leadership our military has ever had. He’s getting rid of them,” Kelly said.