WASHINGTON: US Army Chief of Staff Randy George was dismissed on Thursday by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, three US defence officials told Reuters, marking the latest shake-up among the Pentagon’s top ranks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The firing of a general during wartime is almost unprecedented, as Hegseth, a former Fox News host, moves swiftly to reshape the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Pentagon confirmed that George, who had more than a year remaining in his term, “will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement, the Pentagon expressed gratitude for George’s decades of service, adding, “We wish him well in his retirement.”Two officials, speaking anonymously, revealed that Hegseth also fired General David Hodne, who led the Army’s Transformation and Training Command, and Major General William Green, head of the Army’s Chaplain Corps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Pentagon did not provide a reason for George\u2019s departure, which coincides with US military build-up in the Middle East amid operations targeting Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While US strikes in the region have largely been carried out by the Navy and Air Force, Army soldiers have been deployed for air defence missions. The Army, with approximately 450,000 active-duty soldiers, has also begun dispatching elite 82nd Airborne Division troops to the Middle East, potentially for ground operations against Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite recent controversial moves by Hegseth, including firing the Army\u2019s top lawyer and organising a massive military parade to celebrate the Army\u2019s 250th birthday, there had been no public indications of friction between him and George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hegseth also reversed an Army decision to investigate pilots flying near singer Kid Rock\u2019s house, though sources confirmed George\u2019s firing was unrelated to that incident.General Christopher LaNeve, Hegseth\u2019s former military aide and Army vice chief of staff, will assume George\u2019s role in an acting capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior Army leadership reportedly learned of George\u2019s dismissal at the same time it was made public.George, an infantry officer with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, was confirmed as Chief of Staff in 2023. Prior to this, he served as vice chief of the Army and senior military adviser to then-Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Known for his close working relationship with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, George played a key role in initiatives to accelerate weapons development and reduce costs in collaboration with major defence contractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His removal adds to recent turbulence in Pentagon leadership, following last year\u2019s firing of Air Force General CQ Brown, the previous chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as changes at the top of the Navy and Air Force commands. George\u2019s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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