During his State of the Force speech planned for tomorrow in Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth is expected to lay out his priorities for the year ahead and announce plans to drastically reduce the size of the military, Fox News first reported. 

He plans to reduce positions reserved for generals and admirals by 20 percent, an initiative he is expected to touch on in his remarks before a crowd of senior officials, including generals and admirals. 

The policy shift represents a dramatic acceleration of Hegseth's attempts to minimize the military's senior leadership. 

Last year, the Pentagon boss announced a 10 percent overall reduction in general and flag officer positions. The new policy doubles that number. 

It specifically pertains to billets or positions strictly for generals and admirals. It does not apply to the entire force, particularly junior enlisted soldiers or officers. 

Not all positions will be eliminated, however, some positions will instead be downgraded to lesser ranks, like colonel or captain, Fox reports. 

Hegseth has railed against the Pentagon's 'bloat' and bureaucracy that he claims bogs down decision making time and readiness; his slogan has been 'less generals, more GIs.' 

Hegseth has argued that his efforts are not a 'slash-and-burn exercise,' but rather the process has been 'deliberative' and is meant to maximize strategic readiness and operational effectiveness 'by making prudent reductions.' 

As of September 2025, there were 848 active-duty generals and flag officers across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force, according to Congress. 

There were a total of 36 total generals and admirals. 

A 20 percent flat reduction of authorized general and flag officer billets would leave around 680 top Pentagon officials, though the number is expected to be less given some roles will be downgraded. 

The former Fox News host's previous force reduction initiatives have already infuriated many Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill – and the newest announcement threatens to strain the Pentagon and congressional relationship even further. 

'I don't have any confidence in him anymore,' outgoing Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said over the summer. 'I think he's all over the place, he's accelerating the retirement or forcing out some of the most distinguished leaders in the DOD that we have.'