Hegseth to cut number of US general and admiral positions by 20%

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will cut the number of positions reserved for generals and admirals by 20 percent, a Pentagon official told Al Jazeera, in a change that will affect leadership across the Army, Navy and Air Force. Hegseth is expected to announce the decision on Wednesday during a visit to the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, where he will deliver his “State of the Force” address in front of junior officers and enlisted officials, the official said. The Reuters news agency, citing officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported that Hegseth would say he plans to cut the billets for general and flag officers, who hold one to four stars, by 20 percent.