Purge of the Old Guard in the US: Rear Admiral With 30 Years of Experience Fired

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has fired Rear Admiral Kurt Rothenhaus, a 30-year veteran, as the chief of naval research.

His place was taken by 33-year-old Rachel Riley, a former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created by Elon Musk to optimize bureaucracy, The Daily Beast reported.

The publication emphasizes that she has no military experience.

Instead, Rothenhaus has been head of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) since 2023, and most importantly, it is this agency that allocates billions of dollars for research programs and technologies for the US Navy.

Rear Admiral Rothenhaus is a recipient of the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal. The Navy thanked him for his work, but did not specify whether he would receive another position.

The media outlets note that the decision was part of a ‘purge of the old guard’ in the Donald Trump administration.

It is also reported that Riley is an Oxford graduate, Rhodes Scholar, and former McKinsey partner.

The Pentagon calls her a reformer who can ‘improve the efficiency’ of defense management.

At the same time, CNN reported on the resignation of General Joe McGee from the Joint Staff – officially planned but amid the same reshuffle in Hagel’s team.

The Trump administration continues to massively change the military leadership, replacing combat officers with civilian advisors from the private sector.

In Washington, these actions are already being called ‘efficiency at any cost.’

As a reminder, US President Donald Trump recently said he was ready to fire top military commanders directly at a meeting.