US Military Will Cut 20 Percent of Generals and Admirals, Says Secretary of Defense

Hegseth has issued a memorandum ordering a reduction in the number of general and flag officers by 20 percent.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivers remarks to troops at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, Mich., on April 29, 2025. U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza/DoD

WASHINGTON—Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on May 5 ordered a 20 percent reduction in the number of four-star generals and flag officers in the U.S. military, as well as reductions to the number of officers elsewhere.

Since President Donald Trump assumed office, his administration has proclaimed intentions of reforming the Department of Defense and its personnel policies. Already, Hegseth has ordered changes to training and recruitment, as well as dismissed several top four-star officers, such as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown, National Security Agency Director Gen. Timothy Haugh, and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti.

On May 5, Hegseth issued a memorandum ordering cuts to the total number of four-star officers by a minimum of 20 percent, overall “general and flag officers” (i.e., “one-star” or more) in the National Guard by 20 percent, and an additional 10 percent reduction of all general and flag officers in the regular military, excluding previous cuts.

“The Department of Defense is committed to ensuring the lethality of U.S. Military Forces ... To accomplish this mission, we must cultivate exceptional senior leaders who drive innovation and operational excellence, unencumbered by unnecessary bureaucratic layers that hinder their growth and effectiveness,” read the memorandum.

“A critical step in this process is removing redundant force structure to optimize and streamline leadership by reducing excess general and flag officer positions ... Through these measures, we will uphold our position as the most lethal fighting force in the world.”

The memorandum did not specify a legal basis for Hegseth’s action. Under Article I, section 8, clause 14 of the U.S. Constitution, Congress is accorded the power “to make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces.”

To that end, the number of general and flag officer positions is set by Congress in law, and they are usually concurrent with an officer’s “billet” (i.e., their posting or assignment at a time) as opposed to being a personal rank. However, to hold such posts, the officers must be nominated and appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate—indicating that the administration could dismiss officers and not appoint replacements, so as to effectuate the reduction.

On social media, Hegseth released a video explaining the policy, which he named “Less Generals, More GIs.”

“We’re going to shift resources from bloated headquarters elements to our warfighters,” Hegseth remarked. “When we were fighting ... during World War II, we had a force that was 12 million strong ... [for which] we had 17 four-and-five-star generals. Today, we have 2.1 million servicemembers, with 44 four-star and flag officers.”

Democrats in Congress have not responded to this development. They have previously criticized the administration’s changes to general and flag officer personnel.

“These patriots, who have served honorably under both parties with professionalism, are one reason the U.S. military continues to be the strongest in the world,” wrote Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.).

The Armed Services Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.