The Army will scrap 1,000 jobs after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered it to undergo a “comprehensive transformation” that will see it divest from “outdated” and “redundant” programs and downsize or close some headquarters, according to an April 30 memo.
Hegseth wrote in the memo that the plans are aimed at building a leaner and more lethal force that prioritizes defending the United States and deterring China in the Indo-Pacific.
“Deterring war, and if required, winning on the rapidly evolving battlefield, requires Soldiers who are physically and mentally resilient, rigorously trained, and equipped with the best technology available,” Hegseth wrote.
“To build a leaner, more lethal force, the Army must transform at an accelerated pace by divesting outdated, redundant, and inefficient programs, as well as restructuring headquarters and acquisition systems,” he continued.
“Simultaneously, the Army must prioritize investments in accordance with the Administration’s strategy, ensuring existing resources are prioritized to improve long-range precision fires, air and missile defense including through the Golden Dome for America, cyber, electronic warfare, and counter-space capabilities,” he added.
In a May 1 letter to Army leaders, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he would comply with Hegseth’s directive and called on Army leaders to help drive the change.
He also announced that the Army plans to eliminate 1,000 staff positions from its headquarters.
“Our Army must transform now to a leaner, more lethal force by infusing technology, cutting obsolete systems, and reducing overhead to defeat any adversary on an ever-changing battlefield,” Driscoll wrote. “Our continuous transformation is underpinned by strong, agile leaders who act on their initiative.”
Hegseth said in his memo that the Army must prioritize investments that align with the Trump administration’s strategy and ensure existing resources are used to improve things such as long-range precision fires, air and missile defense, and cyber and electronic warfare, as well as counter-space capabilities.
Existing resources should also go toward building the “Golden Dome for America,” he said, referring to a new missile defense system inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome that has been championed by President Donald Trump.
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