Army to Cut 1,000 Jobs as Hegseth Orders Major Overhaul

The defense secretary directed the Army to undergo a ‘comprehensive transformation.’

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (L) with Commandant of the Army War College Maj. Gen. David Hill (R) as he delivers remarks to students, faculty, and staff at the U.S. Army War college in Carlisle, Penn., on April 23, 2025. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Army will scrap 1,000 jobs after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered it to undergo a “comprehensive transformation” that will see it divest from “outdated” and “redundant” programs and downsize or close some headquarters, according to an April 30 memo.

Hegseth wrote in the memo that the plans are aimed at building a leaner and more lethal force that prioritizes defending the United States and deterring China in the Indo-Pacific.

“Deterring war, and if required, winning on the rapidly evolving battlefield, requires Soldiers who are physically and mentally resilient, rigorously trained, and equipped with the best technology available,” Hegseth wrote.

“To build a leaner, more lethal force, the Army must transform at an accelerated pace by divesting outdated, redundant, and inefficient programs, as well as restructuring headquarters and acquisition systems.

“Simultaneously, the Army must prioritize investments in accordance with the Administration’s strategy, ensuring existing resources are prioritized to improve long-range precision fires, air and missile defense including through the Golden Dome for America, cyber, electronic warfare, and counter-space capabilities.”

In a May 1 letter to Army leaders, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he would comply with Hegseth’s directive and called on Army leaders to help drive the change.

He also announced that the Army plans to eliminate 1,000 staff positions from its headquarters.

“Our Army must transform now to a leaner, more lethal force by infusing technology, cutting obsolete systems, and reducing overhead to defeat any adversary on an ever-changing battlefield,” Driscoll wrote. “Our continuous transformation is underpinned by strong, agile leaders who act on their initiative.”

Hegseth said in his memo that the Army must prioritize investments that align with the Trump administration’s strategy and ensure existing resources are used to improve things such as long-range precision fires, air and missile defense, and cyber and electronic warfare, as well as counter-space capabilities.

Existing resources should also go toward building the “Golden Dome for America,” he said, referring to a new missile defense system inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome that has been championed by President Donald Trump.

Contracts, Outdated Weapons Systems to Be Scrapped

On that basis, Hegseth said he is directing Driscoll to implement a “comprehensive transformation strategy,” under which it will streamline its force structure, eliminate wasteful spending, reform the acquisition process, modernize “inefficient” defense contracts, and overcome what he said were “parochial interests” to rebuild the Army.

Eliminating wasteful contracts and excess travel funding, slashing spending on outdated weapons systems and “unnecessary climate-related initiatives,” and revising civilian hiring and firing policies were among the changes Hegseth ordered.

He said the Army must also downsize, consolidate, or close redundant headquarters.

That includes merging Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command into one entity and merging Forces Command, Army North, and Army South into a single headquarters “focused on homeland defense and partnership with our Western Hemisphere allies.”

In addition, he called for the Army to consolidate and realign headquarters and units within Army Material Command, including Joint Munitions Command and Sustainment Command, to “optimize operational efficiency and streamline support capabilities.”

Hegseth also directed Driscoll to reduce and restructure manned attack helicopter formations and expand “inexpensive drone swarms capable of overwhelming adversaries.”

The letter comes as the Trump administration continues its push to eliminate waste and fraud within multiple departments and agencies operating under the federal government.

Col. Dave Butler, an Army spokesman, said that the potential savings under Hegseth’s transformation strategy would amount to nearly $40 billion over five years.

It’s unclear, however, whether the House and Senate will greenlight the cuts, given that lawmakers have for years resisted efforts by the Army and Pentagon to scrap a wide range of programs.

“As the Army prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, our Nation requires her Army to move further, faster, and fight harder than any other force on Earth,” Hegseth concluded his letter. “President Trump and I will not let this Nation down.”