Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has forced out Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, the service's most senior officer, along with two other military leaders, according to Defense officials. George was asked to retire immediately, marking another significant removal from the Pentagon's upper ranks under Hegseth's watch.
George, nominated by President Biden in 2023 for what is typically a four-year assignment, is being ousted as the military confronts escalating tensions with Iran. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the retirement on Thursday, offering well wishes for George's departure but providing no explanation for the sudden move.
Also removed were Gen. David Hodne, who led the Army's Transformation and Training Command, and Maj. Gen. William Green Jr., who headed the Chaplain Corps. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, a former Hegseth aide, will assume the acting Army chief of staff position.
George's career spanned decades of combat operations. He began as an infantry officer and deployed during both Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He previously served as Army vice chief of staff before his promotion to the top job.
The Timing Question
The removal comes as elements of the 82nd Airborne Division prepare to deploy to the Middle East. Last week, George visited Louisiana to observe the division's training exercises but did not publicly comment on the Iran situation.
Over the past year, George and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll had jointly launched the Army Transformation Initiative, a comprehensive restructuring effort that consolidated commands and eliminated what they described as outdated or excess equipment, including AH-64D Apache helicopters.
Hegseth's purge of senior military leadership extends beyond the Army. Southern Command Admiral Alvin Holsey left his post during operations targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels off Venezuela. The string of departures reflects a broader reshuffling of the Pentagon's leadership structure.
The reasons for George's ouster remain unclear. CBS first reported the removal, but neither Defense officials nor the Pentagon have disclosed specifics about the decision to end his tenure.
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