US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth walks during an event at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, Michigan, US, April 29, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS)

In a memo, Hegseth said there will also be a minimum 20% reduction in the number of general officers in the National Guard and an additional 10% reduction among general and flag officers across the military.

The memo did not specify how the reductions would be accomplished. The move is the latest major shakeup at the Pentagon under President Donald Trump's administration, which has already fired several senior officers this year.