Pentagon chief Hegseth announces 20% cut in U.S. general and admiral posts — NDTV World

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced in Quantico, Virginia, a 20% reduction in general and admiral positions in the U.S. Armed Forces. The decision is to be implemented by January 1, 2027, NDTV World reports.

Reduction of senior positions

Hegseth instructed all branches of the armed forces to double the cuts announced last spring. At that time, he ordered a 10% reduction in about 800 general and admiral positions. The total reduction is now expected to reach 20%.

According to the Pentagon chief, the decision concerns accountability and long-overdue change. The cuts may affect officers with ranks starting from one-star generals or Navy officers of an equivalent rank. The number of general officer positions is set by law, but they can be left vacant without submitting replacement nominees to Congress.

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Command for unmanned systems

During his speech, Hegseth also announced the creation of a new four-star command. It will oversee the introduction of autonomous and robotic capabilities in the military. The Pentagon chief called this the fastest peacetime transformation of the armed forces in modern military history.

Earlier, U.S. lawmakers from both parties asked the Army to explain its decision to return a Europe-based unit specializing in drone use to the functions of a regular infantry battalion.

Reaction in Congress

Some members of Congress criticized the reduction of the senior command staff. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly said that, in his view, Hegseth is removing a generation of strong military leaders, and rebuilding such a cadre would take a generation. Republican Senator Mike Rounds said he wants to understand the rationale behind the decision and suggested that it could be justified if aimed at reducing an excessively large leadership apparatus.