US officials told Reuters that the cuts would affect billets for one- to four-star generals and admirals.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to announce plans to cut up to 20% of top military leadership positions, doubling the minimum reduction he ordered last year, US media reported on Tuesday.
The move is expected to be outlined during Hegseth’s State of the Force address on Wednesday at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
US officials told Reuters that the cuts would affect billets for one- to four-star generals and admirals.
Plan Doubles Earlier 10% Cut
Officials said the plan would increase the reduction from the minimum 10% cut Hegseth announced last year. Rather than removing officers directly, some future positions could be downgraded in rank while others could be eliminated altogether.
A Pentagon tally showed 851 active-duty generals and admirals in July, compared with 848 a year earlier. Federal law caps the total at 857.
Last year in May, Hegseth had ordered cuts of at least 10% among general and flag officers and 20% among National Guard general officers. The Pentagon at that time said the aim was to remove redundant force structures and excess senior positions.
The Washington Post reported that the latest move could affect the careers of hundreds of current and rising military leaders.
Hegseth Says Focus Is Readiness
Hegseth has dramatically reshaped the US military’s senior leadership since taking office during President Donald Trump’s second term, with several senior officers being dismissed or leaving their posts.
Army Chief of Staff General Randy George was fired in April, while Joint Chiefs Chairman General Charles Brown Jr and Navy Admiral Lisa Franchetti were removed shortly before the US began its war with Iran on February 28.
Several other senior military figures have also retired or resigned.
Fox News quoted Hegseth as saying the latest effort was not intended to punish senior officers. He described it as a deliberative process carried out with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to improve readiness and operational effectiveness.