In a bold move aimed at reshaping the U.S. military’s command structure, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday ordered a 20% reduction in the number of four-star general officers across the active-duty military, as part of a broader Trump administration effort to eliminate bureaucratic excess and create a more agile defense force.

The directive also extends to the National Guard, which is expected to trim 20% of its top-ranking leadership as well.

In a memo dated Monday, Hegseth made clear that the intent behind the cuts is to “remove redundant force structure to optimize and streamline leadership.”

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The action marks one of the most aggressive overhauls of military leadership in recent history and reflects a growing push within the administration to pare down high-level positions perceived as nonessential to frontline military readiness.

Currently, there are roughly 800 general and flag officers across the branches of the U.S. military, but only 44 of those hold the coveted four-star rank.

These top brass positions represent the pinnacle of military leadership, overseeing vast commands and directing strategic operations.

Hegseth’s directive would potentially eliminate nearly nine of those senior-most positions, a shift that would have reverberations across the services.

Beyond the top echelon, the Pentagon is also being tasked with slashing 10% of all general and flag officers—those holding one-star ranks and above, including Navy equivalents. This broader mandate could impact dozens of senior leaders throughout the defense apparatus.

Hegseth, a former Army officer and vocal proponent of military reform, emphasized that the cuts are part of a strategy to rid the Department of Defense of “unnecessary bureaucratic layers” and ensure that decision-making authority is placed closer to the point of action.

“This is about creating a command structure that supports warfighters in the field—not administrators in the rear,” Hegseth said.

The latest announcement builds upon an aggressive pattern of personnel changes since Hegseth took office. In just a few months, he has overseen the removal of more than half a dozen three- and four-star generals, including the high-profile dismissal of Gen. CQ Brown, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“Those eliminations were a reflection of the president wanting the right people around him to execute the national security approach we want to take,” Hegseth stated.

The Pentagon’s streamlining initiative is being carried out under the financial and administrative pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration and the recently formed Department of Government Efficiency, headed by billionaire and administration ally Elon Musk. Together, they have been championing wide-reaching federal spending cuts, with the Pentagon’s leadership structure firmly in the crosshairs.

Hegseth’s efforts are not limited to trimming general officer ranks. Last week, he unveiled a far-reaching transformation plan for the U.S. Army aimed at making it “a leaner, more lethal force.”

The plan includes merging or shuttering command headquarters, divesting from outdated vehicles and aircraft, and eliminating up to 1,000 staff positions at the Pentagon. These changes will redirect personnel and resources toward operational units and modern capabilities.

Notably, the Army also confirmed plans for a large-scale military parade scheduled for President Trump’s birthday in June, which coincides with the Army’s 250th anniversary.

The event, which officials say will cost tens of millions of dollars, is being positioned as both a celebration of American military history and a demonstration of renewed strength under the current administration.

Reactions to the leadership cuts have been mixed.

Proponents argue that the military’s top-heavy command structure has long needed pruning, citing a growing disparity between those in command roles and those in combat roles.

Critics, however, warn that such rapid downsizing could destabilize leadership continuity and erode institutional knowledge.

Still, Hegseth appears undeterred. “We are restructuring for a new era of warfare—one that requires speed, clarity of command, and the elimination of redundancy,” he said.

The cuts were first reported by CNN, but confirmation from the Department of Defense has sent a clear signal to the services: the era of bloated command staffs is ending.

As the military transitions under Hegseth’s direction, all eyes will be on how these changes impact readiness, morale, and America’s posture on the global stage.