WASHINGTON – US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff General Randy George to step down and take immediate retirement, sending ripples through the military leadership amid ongoing war with Iran.
According to sources cited by US media, Hegseth intends to appoint a leader who can fully implement President Donald Trump’s defense policies and strategic vision.
A senior defense official described General George’s service as commendable but noted that the time for a leadership transition had arrived.
General Randy George, a seasoned infantry officer and US Military Academy graduate, has served in the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He was nominated for the Army Chief position by former President Joe Biden in 2023, with his tenure initially expected to run until 2027.
The current Army Vice Chief of Staff, General Christopher LaNeau, is set to assume the role of acting Chief.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell described him as an experienced and trusted leader capable of executing the current administration’s vision.
The decision comes as Secretary Hegseth has already removed several senior military officials, including Joint Chiefs Chairman C.Q. Brown and head of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti. Sources stressed that General George’s removal is part of a broader leadership restructuring rather than a response to a recent helicopter incident, signaling significant upcoming changes within the U.S. military hierarchy.
