Pete Hegseth orders 20% cut to US generals and launches new drone command

Command restructuring and drone warfare

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a sweeping restructuring of the military during his second annual State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico on 30 September 2026. Speaking to an audience of junior officers and enlisted leaders, Hegseth outlined the establishment of a four-star Autonomous Warfare Command scheduled to reach operational status by October 2027. Directed by Defense Innovation Unit Director Owen West and Navy SEAL Senior Chief Max Strasiser, the command will scale robotic and automated combat systems across all military branches. Hegseth pointed to lessons from Ukraine's drone use against Russian forces and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East to support the transition, even as a Europe-based US Army drone unit was recently returned to standard infantry duties.

The autonomous robotic revolution has enormous implications for equipment, doctrine, organization, and the assumptions that have governed warfare for decades.

Leadership cuts and cultural directives

The defense secretary confirmed plans to eliminate 20% of the military flag officer corps, doubling a 10% reduction ordered the previous spring that covered roughly 800 general and admiral positions. All service branches must complete the 20% reduction before 1 January 2027. Hegseth linked the personnel reductions to an ongoing campaign targeting diversity initiatives, female service in ground combat units, and ideological bloat. The Pentagon is also rolling out a screening program to monitor testosterone deficiency among male personnel while enforcing strict physical fitness and grooming standards.

No fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just warriors.

Future warfare panel and domestic base competition

Hegseth announced the formation of Project Meridian, a 120-day advisory panel tasked with defining future battlefield technology requirements. The initiative will be co-directed by SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk, defense entrepreneur Palmer Luckey, and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, facilitated by Pentagon chief technology officer Emil Michael. Beyond technological modernization, Hegseth invited US state governors to submit bids to host a new domestic military base spanning hundreds of thousands of acres for 15,000 to 25,000 service members. The proposed installation represents the first new base built in the United States since Colorado's Schriever Space Force Base opened in 1985. A departmental memo directed the assistant secretary for energy, installations, and environment to formulate an evaluation plan and selection timeline within two weeks. Additional measures include the creation of an Office of Religious Affairs and a mandate for major installations to generate independent electrical power.

Congressional pushback and wartime operational strains

The structural overhaul occurs as American forces remain engaged in a seven-month war with Iran, where Iranian drone strikes have killed US troops and depleted interceptor missile inventories. Beyond the Middle East, the military recently captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and conducted strikes that killed more than 200 people on suspected drug trafficking vessels in Latin America. Hegseth criticized press coverage of troop morale and munitions shortages, calling negative reporting a betrayal. The Pentagon has not held an on-camera press briefing since May 2026. The policy announcements drew immediate opposition from Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed, who criticized the dismissal of accomplished senior officers.

Throughout his tenure, Secretary Hegseth has taken countless reckless, partisan actions that have damaged our military. He has ended the careers of dozens of our most accomplished senior officers and refused to explain why. Today's news should alarm every American.