Turmoil at US War Department: 3 senior officers fired after Army Chief of Staff

Pars Today – The US Secretary of War has dismissed at least three senior officers who had been considered potential successors to the Army Chief of Staff.

According to Pars Today, citing the Mehr News Agency, The New York Times reported that multiple dismissals by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have created a serious leadership vacuum in the US Army. Following the dismissal of General Randy George, the US Army has been without a permanent Chief of Staff for months, while the number of its four-star generals has also fallen from 10 to five.

Current and former US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US Army has had no Chief of Staff since Hegseth fired General Randy George without explanation in April, and there is no indication that he is close to filling the position.

Meanwhile, Hegseth has dismissed at least three senior officers who had been considered potential successors to General George. According to officials, US Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll is also expected to leave the administration in the coming months.

Hegseth’s critics argue that sidelining experienced commanders has weakened the Army. The US Army, however, maintains that the changes have not affected its missions or military readiness.

Currently, General Christopher Leneau is serving simultaneously as Vice Chief of Staff and acting Chief of Staff of the US Army, but he has yet to secure sufficient Senate support to permanently assume the position. At the same time, disagreements between Hegseth and some senior commanders have created challenges for the Army’s modernization efforts and strategic decision-making.

According to the report, the US Army is facing one of its most operationally demanding periods amid a reduction in senior commanders, internal disputes, and a leadership vacuum—a situation that could affect its ability to counter emerging threats such as drones and missiles from Iran, Russia, and China.