He says he has ordered all branches of the military to proceed with a reduction in senior positions that was decided in spring 2025.
This means a total reduction of 20 percent, which must be completed by January 1, 2027, according to Hegseth.
It was about time, says the defence minister.
Hegseth and President Donald Trump have already fired a number of military leaders during their term, which has drawn criticism from several members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats.
He is purging a generation of great leaders in the military, and it will take a generation to recover from that, says one of the more critical senators, Democrat Mark Kelly.
