Key facts
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will announce a 20% cut in general and admiral positions.
- The reduction is an increase from a minimum 10% cut announced last year.
- The cuts will be achieved by changing the rank of some future jobs and canceling billets.
- Hegseth previously ordered a 20% reduction in four-star officers last year.
- Hegseth will deliver the announcement during a speech at Quantico, Virginia.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is preparing to announce a significant reduction in the number of senior military officer positions, according to two US officials. Hegseth plans to cut the billets for general and flag officers by 20%, an increase from the minimum 10% cut he outlined last year. The announcement is expected during a speech Hegseth will deliver on Wednesday to hundreds of junior service members at Quantico, Virginia, where he will update them on his priorities for the military.