'Critical': Hegseth orders massive purge of generals and admirals

[turbinetree]

By Matthew Chapman
Published May 5, 2025 5:12 PM ET

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is seeking a drastic cut to the number of high-ranking military officials.

According to CNN, a new memo issued by President Donald Trump's Pentagon chief directs the department to cut 20 percent of four-star generals and admirals, and "also directs the Pentagon to cut the number of general officers in the National Guard by 20%, and to cut the total number of general and flag officers across the military by 10%. There are currently about 900 general and flag officers — those with the rank of one star or higher — across the military."

Hegseth is describing the move as a “critical” step to “removing redundant force structure to optimize and streamline leadership by reducing excess general and flag officer positions.”

https://www.rawstory.com/hegseth-generals/

Hey Joni Ernest, Lyndsay Gramm, (all former military) what do you think of your vote now to confirm this asshole, how is your vote looking on the past impeachment issue..............you were always defending the military to protect this country from democrats with funding ............and now do you want to stick your heads in the sand now and don't see what is happening here...............is power more important than country and the Constitution...........you know what they call this right...............Purge....................

[dem4decades]

1. You think Ernst and Graham give a shit, they've gone to the dark side years ago.

[Abnredleg]

2. It's probably a good idea

There have been a lot of complaints over the years that the military is too top-heavy. A more streamlined chain of command would have many benefits.

[EX500rider]

7. Agree

In June 1945 the military had 2,068 generals and admirals on its rolls. In March 1997 the services had 879 generals and admirals - for a total force only about one eighth the size of the 12 million-strong World War II force.

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. This makes me feel safer. I want generals to kiss Trump's ass.

[Lovie777]

4. Someone please stop him.....

[FirstLight]

5. This move is above his pay grade...

He's not intelligent enough to figure this out on his own, somebody's giving him the actual information and implementation of this...

[stillcool]

8. it's like they are all just puppets on a string

They're planted in positions they know nothing about, but a bunch of someones are well versed on the nuts and bolts of every government agency. That's a lot of someones.

[haele]

6. This is straight out of the Heritage Foundation.

Get rid of specialty flags - in charge of oversight, standards, R&D, contracting...and shove that specialty function under a line flag who has little idea about the requirements and nuances that experience in that field would bring, like "when and what sorts ofshortcuts work". Or "Is this contactor telling me something that is actually attainable or just blowing sparkle smoke up my ass?"
You cut a couple dozen specialist flags and put in a couple dozen line flags with minds like HogsAle in place, and contactors with political pull will be taking over the Military in no time.

[TnDem]

9. re: contractors

...and contactors with political pull will be taking over the Military in no time...

Contractors have already taken over the military, starting in the 1940's...You surely don't believe this military industrial complex just started in the last 100 days, correct?

There is no flag officer or GROUP of flag officers EVER with the political influence of General Dynamics, Northrup-Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

[UTUSN]

10. K&R