The US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel ordered on Monday to cut the number of four-star officers by 20%, intensifying the effort to downsize the military. He has long believed that the senior ranks of the military are bloated.
Hagel said that at least 20% of the general officer positions in the National Guard will be reduced, and an additional 10% of generals and admirals across the entire military will be cut, with the goal of "maximizing strategic readiness."
In his confirmation hearing, he stated, "The larger the staff, the lower the likelihood of battlefield success."
At that time, he mentioned there were 44 four-star positions in the military. Since then, he has removed the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest-ranking naval officer, and the Director of the National Security Agency. Hagel said on Monday that the downsizing will be carried out "carefully but swiftly."
It is unclear which positions will be eliminated. Hagel is considering merging some combatant commands. One possible option is to merge the United States Africa Command with the United States European Command, which could reduce one four-star position. Another possibility is to merge the United States Southern Command, responsible for operations in Central and South America, with the United States Northern Command.
Hagel may also consider eliminating the Commander of the United States Pacific Army and the Commander of United States Forces Korea.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1831408015197259/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author alone.