Pentagon to eliminate 20% of general and admiral billets by Jan. 1

The Pentagon confirmed it will reduce the number of active-duty general and admiral billets by 20 percent, removing approximately 170 senior officers and leaving around 680 positions across the Army, Navy, Air Force and joint commands. The change is slated to take effect on Jan. 1 and will be detailed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in his State of the Force address in Quantico, Va.

Federal law caps the total number of such billets at 857, with 851 filled as of July 31. The reduction will involve some positions being downgraded to colonels or Navy captains, while others will be eliminated entirely. Hegseth, who has previously called the department “top-heavy,” initiated a broader effort last year to trim senior officer numbers, including blocking promotions for more than 80 generals and admirals since assuming office in January 2025.

Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, warned that the plan could disrupt command continuity during major operations and urged the secretary to provide written justification to Congress. He emphasized that any restructuring of the senior leadership should involve congressional oversight, citing the Constitution’s grant of authority to Congress over the armed forces.

Other congressional defense committee leaders have not yet responded to requests for comment.