the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, in a sweeping and controversial move, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the U.S. military to reduce the number of its highest-ranking officers — four-star generals and admirals — by at least 20%, citing the need to eliminate bureaucratic bloat and enhance warfighting effectiveness.
The directive, outlined in a memo released Monday, also mandates a similar 20% reduction in the National Guard’s four-star leadership and a 10% cut across all general and flag officers throughout the military’s ranks.
What the Hegseth Memo Says
According to the memo, Hegseth wants senior leaders to be “unencumbered by unnecessary bureaucratic layers that hinder their growth and effectiveness.” The first phase of cuts will target the active-duty four-star positions, followed by broader reductions in general officer ranks.
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Currently, fewer than 40 four-star generals and admirals serve in active roles.
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A 20% cut would eliminate 7–8 top-level positions.
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With around 900 general and flag officers total, the order would result in about 90 leadership roles cut across all ranks.
It remains unclear whether the reductions will occur through natural attrition (retirements) or outright firings — a point that has raised concern in Congress, which authorizes many of these positions.
Hegseth Defends the Cuts Amid Concerns of Political Targeting
In a video statement, Hegseth defended the move by citing historical comparisons:
“During World War II, there was one general for every 6,000 troops. Today, there’s one for every 1,400.”
“More generals and admirals does not equal more success.”
While Hegseth insisted the move is not a “slash-and-burn” campaign, his track record suggests otherwise.
In previous interviews, Hegseth voiced frustration with senior military leadership, claiming that a large portion were “actively complicit” in the politicization of the force — especially when it came to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In a June 2023 podcast appearance, he advocated firing generals involved in what he called “woke DEI nonsense.”
High-Profile Firings Already Underway
Since taking office, Hegseth has already removed several high-profile officers, including:
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Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the Navy’s first female chief of operations
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Gen. James Slife, the Air Force’s vice chief of staff
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The Judge Advocates General of the Army, Navy, and Air Force
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Lt. Gen. Jennifer Short, a top advisor to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
Additionally, President Trump fired Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, further amplifying concerns about a coordinated purge of senior military leaders.
Backlash From Lawmakers and “Military Experts”
While bipartisan concern over a top-heavy military has existed for years, many lawmakers — particularly Democrats — are alarmed by the apparent political motives behind the firings.
“This is not about efficiency,” said one senior Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.
“It’s about purging officers who don’t align with Trump and Hegseth’s ideology.”
The American Accountability Foundation, a conservative group, reportedly compiled a list of 20 officers they recommended for removal after the 2024 election — many of whom were women or held DEI-related responsibilities.
Now, with Hegseth enacting cuts with no detailed justification or process transparency, even former supporters of reducing top military ranks are expressing skepticism.
What’s Next?
Congress holds the power to authorize or block changes to the number of general officer positions via the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Lawmakers could potentially introduce provisions to slow or stop the cuts, especially if they are seen as politically motivated.
The Pentagon has not provided further comment beyond the memo, stating only that the process will unfold “expeditiously.”
Final Thoughts
While Hegseth frames the cuts as a necessary step to strengthen military readiness, with positions already being eliminated and more changes expected, the coming months could prove pivotal in reshaping the command structure of the U.S. armed forces — and redefining the relationship between the Pentagon and the White House.
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It will be fascinating to see how the Left criticize this one with their history of anti spending on military.