“US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset has initiated a large -scale reduction in the Higher Officer Order in the Armed Forces. It is about reducing the number of four -star generals and the general reorganization of the command structure of the army in order to increase efficiency.”, – WRITE: www.pravda.com.ua
Source: Bloomberg
Details: On Monday, May 5, Hegset issued a directive to reduce the higher command staff of the US Armed Forces. According to the document, it is planned to reduce the number of four -star generals by 20%, as many as part of the National Guard, as well as reduce at least 10% of all generals and admirals in the Armed Forces in general.
Advertising:
In a video, widespread on social networks, Hegset stressed that it is not about “personnel cleaning”, but about strategic reform, the purpose of which is to maximize the readiness of the Armed Forces for potential conflict and their effectiveness in it.
“More generals and admirals do not mean more success,” Hegset said.
“This is a transition to a more efficient army ready for the challenges of the future. We need to reorient resources from a swollen apparatus to support our soldiers,” he said.
According to him, reform is the result of long consultations with the Joint Committee of Chiefs of Staff and provides a revision of the structure of military administration, as well as a strategic assessment of the team plan, which helps to organize military operations and distribute responsibilities worldwide.
“It will be done cautiously but quickly,” Hegset said.
The Minister outlined a phased approach to change and stated that the reform could be the most large -scale reorganization of the Ministry of Defense in 1986, initiated by the US Congress. At the same time, he ordered the purchase of certain types of military equipment and combine a number of commands, which would eliminate some four -star general positions.
Prehistory:
- US Defense Minister Pete Hegset on Tuesday, April 29, announced that his ministry would cancel the initiative created to increase women’s participation in national security, despite the fact that it was launched during Donald Trump’s first administration.
- Earlier, the media reported that Hegset gave an order to convert the room next to a pentagon briefing hall under a dressing room, which can be used to prepare for television performances.
- On February 21, the Pentagon restricted access to the briefing hall by banning journalists, unless officials. Previously, the press could use this hall-one of the few places in a protected building, where you can connect to Wi-Fi-to prepare materials and shoot reports.
According to Hegset, in World War II, the US armed forces of 12 million soldiers led 17 officers with four and five stars.
“Today we have 2.1 million servicemen, including 44 four -star generals and admirals,” he said.
According to the US Congress Research Service, as of September 2023, the US Armed Forces had 37 four -star officers.
At the same time, not everyone in Washington supported the initiative.
“Hard personnel decisions should be based on facts and analysis, not arbitrary percentages. Without proper justification, such reform may harm the army and not make it more effective,” said the leading Democrat in the Senate Committee on the Armed Forces, Senator Jack Reed.