Pentagon Plans to Reduce Combat Commands from 11 to 8 and Cut Number of Four-Star Generals

The Pentagon is preparing a major overhaul of the U.S. military command structure, including reducing the number of combat commands and cutting the number of four-star generals and admirals.

The Washington Post reported on this.

United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth initiated the reorganization.

It is expected that these measures will result in a reduction in the number of senior military commands, known as combat commands, from 11 to 8.

Additionally, the number of four-star generals and admirals reporting directly to the Pentagon’s head is expected to be reduced.

According to sources from the American publication, the plan involves reducing the significance of the headquarters of the U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Africa Command, transferring them under the authority of a new organization known as U.S. International Command.

The plan also includes the reorganization of U.S. Southern and Northern Commands, which oversee military operations across the Western Hemisphere, into a new headquarters called U.S. Americas Command, or Americom.

Additionally, Pentagon officials discussed creating a U.S. Arctic Command, which would be subordinated to Americom, but this idea has apparently been rejected.

Other combat commands that will remain include U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Cyber Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command, and U.S. Transportation Command.

A senior defense official stated that the proposed reorganization aims to accelerate decision-making processes and adaptability among military commanders.

At the same time, lawmakers are criticizing the lack of a detailed plan and are demanding that the Pentagon provide an assessment of costs and strategic implications before implementing the plans. Some military experts warn that such a reorganization could reduce regional operational flexibility.

The potential restructuring of the military command structure comes as Hegseth has launched a broader campaign to reduce the overall number of generals and admirals in the U.S. armed forces.