By LOLITA C. BALDOR
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Military is planning a sweeping transformation that may merge or shut headquarters, dump outdated automobiles and plane, slash as many as 1,000 headquarters workers within the Pentagon and shift personnel to models within the subject, based on a brand new memo and U.S. officers acquainted with the adjustments.
In a memo launched Thursday, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the transformation to “build a leaner, more lethal force.” Discussions concerning the adjustments have been occurring for weeks, together with choices to mix quite a few Military instructions.
Col. Dave Butler, an Military spokesman, stated the potential financial savings over 5 years could be almost $40 billion.
U.S. officers stated as many as 40 basic officer slots may very well be reduce because of the restructuring. They spoke on situation of anonymity to debate personnel points.
The adjustments come because the Pentagon is underneath strain to slash spending and personnel as a part of the broader federal authorities cuts pushed by President Donald Trump’s administration and ally Elon Musk’s Division of Authorities Effectivity.
In his memo, Hegseth stated the Military should get rid of wasteful spending and prioritize enhancements to air and missile protection, long-range fires, cyber, digital warfare and counter-space capabilities.
Particularly, he stated the Military should merge Military Futures Command and Coaching and Doctrine Command into one entity and merge Forces Command, Military North and Military South right into a single headquarters “focused on homeland defense and partnership with our Western Hemisphere allies.”
As well as, he referred to as for the Military to consolidate models, together with Joint Munitions Command and Sustainment Command, in addition to operations at numerous depots and arsenals.
Officers stated that whereas the mergers will lead to fewer workers positions, there received’t be a lower within the Military’s general measurement. As a substitute, troopers could be shifted to different posts.
On the chopping block could be legacy weapons and gear packages, such because the Humvee and a few helicopter formations, together with quite a few armor and aviation models throughout the energetic obligation forces, Nationwide Guard and Reserve. The models weren’t recognized.
A key subject, nevertheless, might be Congress.
For years, lawmakers have rejected Military and Pentagon efforts to kill a variety of packages, actually because they’re situated in members’ dwelling districts.
Protection Division and repair leaders discovered way back to unfold headquarters, depots, troops and installations throughout the nation to maximise congressional help. However these efforts even have stymied later strikes to cut packages.
It’s unclear whether or not the Home and Senate will enable all the cuts or just add a reimbursement to the funds to maintain some intact.
Initially Printed: Might 1, 2025 at 7:06 PM EDT
