WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that the United States has reduced the number of generals and admirals across its armed forces by 20 per cent, describing the step as an effort to strengthen accountability and refocus the military on war-fighting.
Speaking to junior officers and enlisted personnel at the US Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth said 10 per cent of generals and admirals had been removed, while the number of general officer positions had been cut by a further 10 per cent.
“So yes, 20 per cent reduction across the board,” Hegseth said, adding that while the media had described the step as a “purge”, he considered it “accountability”.
Hegseth said senior officers who had responded positively to his previous calls for reform were now leading “newly focused” and “disciplined formations”, while those who had not supported his approach were no longer serving in their positions.
The defence secretary has repeatedly criticised what he describes as “woke” policies within the US military and has called for the Pentagon to reduce bureaucracy and focus more heavily on combat readiness.
However, Pentagon figures appear to raise questions about the extent of the reductions. There were 831 active-duty US generals and admirals at the end of May 2025. The latest available Pentagon figures, from the end of July 2026, showed 851 top officers.
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Asked whether the reported 20 per cent reduction had been completed or remained ongoing, the Pentagon said it had nothing further to provide beyond Hegseth’s comments.
Hegseth ordered major reductions in the number of senior military officers in May 2025, including a 10 per cent cut in the overall number of generals and admirals and a 20 per cent reduction in four-star positions.
During his confirmation hearing in January 2025, Hegseth argued that the Pentagon was overly bureaucratic and that resources should be redirected towards military effectiveness.
Since President Donald Trump returned to office in early 2025, several senior military leaders have left their positions, including former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles “CQ” Brown. The heads of the Army, Navy and Coast Guard, along with other senior officers and military lawyers, have also been replaced or pushed out.
Hegseth has said the president is entitled to select the military leaders he wants, while Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the possible politicisation of the traditionally non-partisan US armed forces.
Project Meridian announced
During his Quantico address, Hegseth also announced Project Meridian, a new initiative focused on the future of warfare. The project will be overseen by Pentagon technology chief Emil Michael and co-led by technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Hegseth said the initiative would bring together private-sector leaders and subject-matter experts to examine emerging areas of warfare and identify technologies and capabilities the United States may need in the future.
He said the project would not develop new military strategies or policies, with its findings expected to be completed and submitted within 120 days.
