US Defense Secretary Hegseth ordered on the 5th to reduce the number of active-duty 4-star generals in the US military by at least 20%.
This is the latest major reorganization at the Pentagon. The Trump administration has already dismissed a series of senior military officials this year, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Brown, who was dismissed in February.
According to a Department of Defense memorandum, Hegseth demanded a further 10% reduction in the number of generals, as well as a 20% reduction in the number of National Guard generals. The memorandum did not specify how the cuts will be achieved.
As of March 2025, there are a total of 38 active-duty 4-star generals and a total of 817 generals in the US military. The 4-star general is typically the highest military rank obtainable in the US military.
The memorandum states that the reduction aims to remove “excessive force structures, optimizing and streamlining the leadership hierarchy by reducing redundant general positions.”
Additionally, Hegseth later posted a video about the reorganization on the social media platform X, titling it “Fewer Generals, More Soldiers.”
He stated that although the overall size of the military force was much larger during World War II, the number of senior generals was actually fewer at that time.
He said the reduction would be implemented in two phases, first reducing the 4-star generals and National Guard generals, followed by an overall reduction of 10% in the total number of generals.