Senior Pentagon officials are preparing to downsize key U.S. military headquarters and cut several top positions under a sweeping reorganization led by War Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to The Washington Post.
The plan would cut combatant commands from 11 to eight. Central, European, and Africa Commands would merge into a new U.S. International Command, while Northern and Southern Commands would combine into “Americom,” overseeing the Western Hemisphere.
Remaining commands would include Indo-Pacific, Cyber, Space, Strategic, Transportation, and Special Operations.
The plan would also reduce the number of four-star generals and admirals reporting directly to Hegseth.
People familiar with the plan told The Post that the changes would complement Trump administration efforts to shift resources away from the Middle East and Europe and toward the Western Hemisphere. The Post noted that the administration’s national security strategy, released this month, states that the “days of the United States propping up the entire world order like Atlas are over.”
Chuck Hagel, former U.S. defense secretary, questioned the proposal, telling The Post: “You want commands that have the capability of heading off problems before they become big problems, and I think you lose some of that when you unify or consolidate too many.”
Retired Vice Adm. Robert Murrett told Newsweek that the national security strategy could produce “reverberations for years to come and possible near term security challenges,” including what he described as “soft language regarding China.”
Hegseth’s team declined to comment on what it called “rumored internal discussions.” It called any suggestion of a divide “completely false,” adding that “everyone in the Department is working to achieve the same goal under this administration.”
<<<<<Chuck Hagel, former U.S. defense secretary, questioned the proposal, telling The Post: “You want commands that have the capability of heading off problems before they become big problems, and I think you lose some of that when you unify or consolidate too many.”>>>>>>>
With all due respect to the former SECDEF, the total number of Generals was out of control. I remember my last Squadron where my CO was promoted to Base Operations Officer. One night at the club, we were talking about his new promotion… he said, Ed, I had the same job as a Capt; that position should never have been higher than a Major, but they have to create jobs.”
I have also noticed this happening on Fort Belvoir in Virginia. They create jobs for officers who are floating before retirement. This is not only a waste of money but a waste of time if you are about to retire, you should keep your last working assignment or position until that day. Instead officers are removed from their commands and become sort of a utility grade general officer to me this is unacceptable to the taxpayers who pay the Military’s paycheck!
Retired Vice Adm. Robert Murrett, my favorite admiral at NGA!