Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the immediate departure of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George, requesting that the four-star general resign from his position and retire from military service, according to the Pentagon. The move marks another major change in the senior leadership ranks of the U.S. military under Hegseth’s tenure as defense secretary.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that Gen. George would retire from his role as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army. In a statement, the Department of Defense expressed appreciation for George’s decades of service and wished him well in retirement. George had assumed the position in 2023 after being nominated by then-President Joe Biden and was expected to remain in command through 2027.
The Army Chief of Staff traditionally serves a four-year term, making George’s early departure a notable development. His removal follows a broader restructuring effort by Hegseth, who has made significant changes to the Pentagon’s top leadership. Earlier moves included removing Gen. CQ Brown from his role as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and dismissing Adm. Lisa Franchetti as Chief of Naval Operations.
George previously served as a senior military adviser to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and had reportedly been under review for more than a year, according to officials cited by ABC News. Following his departure, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve is expected to take over as acting Chief of Staff. Military officials described the transition as part of the established chain of command, where the vice chief is positioned to assume leadership if the top position becomes vacant.
In his farewell message to Army personnel, George reflected on his 38-year career and expressed pride in serving alongside American soldiers. He encouraged troops to remain focused on their mission, continue improving military readiness, and provide soldiers with the leadership and resources needed for future challenges.
The decision has sparked discussion among lawmakers. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers praised George’s record, citing improvements in recruitment, efficiency, and Army modernization during his tenure. Rep. Rich McCormick also said he wanted additional details about the decision, noting that George had appeared supportive of the administration’s defense priorities.
The Pentagon has not publicly released a specific reason for George’s removal. However, senior military commanders traditionally serve at the discretion of the president and the defense secretary, allowing civilian leadership broad authority over changes in military command.
