The United States’ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly dismissed the Army Chief of Staff and two other generals on Thursday as the Iran war continues.
Hegseth instructed US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to retire immediately, a Pentagon official told CNN.
In addition, two other Army generals were also fired Thursday, according to a US official: the chief of chaplains, Maj. Gen. William Green Jr., and the commander of Army Transformation and Training Command, Gen. David Hodne.
Hegseth’s action came a day after President Donald Trump addressed the nation regarding the Iran war.
In that speech, Trump indicated the US would escalate strikes on Iran, following earlier remarks suggesting the conflict could conclude within two to three weeks.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed George’s departure Thursday via X, stating, “General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately. The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation.”
Senior Army leadership was reportedly blindsided by the sudden announcement, learning of George’s forced departure along with the rest of the Defense Department when it was made public, a US official told CNN.
George was informed of his retirement during a phone call from Hegseth while in a meeting, a second US official said. He later addressed his staff in person, who were described as “very stoic” upon receiving the news.
As Army chief, George has collaborated closely with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, a senior official aligned with the White House whom Hegseth has sometimes viewed as a threat and with whom he has had a tense relationship.
“The abrupt and public nature of George’s immediate retirement,” the first US official said, “left little room for officials to argue against removing one of the joint chiefs amid ongoing conflict with Iran — particularly as the Army, under George, is deploying forces and is primarily responsible for providing crucial integrated air and missile defense capabilities to the joint force.”
In his role, George advised Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and Hegseth on these capabilities.
“It doesn’t feel like a very thought-out decision,” the first US official added.
CBS News first reported George’s ousting.
A career infantry officer, George commissioned from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1988 and has served as chief of staff since September 2023. He previously commanded I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and later served as senior military assistant to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration.
While the senior military assistant role is typically considered apolitical and reserved for top officers, George’s previous work with Austin has reportedly been viewed unfavorably by Hegseth and his circle.
When Hegseth nominated his senior military assistant, Gen. Chris LaNeve, as Army vice chief of staff, Pentagon and military observers speculated that LaNeve would eventually succeed George. As vice chief, LaNeve is expected to act as chief of staff in George’s absence.
LaNeve commissioned in 1990 through the University of Arizona ROTC and previously commanded the 8th Army in South Korea. He briefly led the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, before serving as a special assistant to the commander of US Army Forces Command and then moving to South Korea.
LaNeve gained Trump’s attention shortly after the inauguration when he called into the Commander in Chief’s Ball from Korea with his troops, saying, “Sir, on behalf of the brave men and women who serve under my command and the thousands of dedicated service members that are part of the joint team in Korea, congratulations on your victory as the 47th President of the United States. Welcome back, Mr. President.”
Trump responded, praising LaNeve: “Is this man central casting or what? They’re not going to play games with you. That’s good. I like to see that. Nobody is playing games with that man.”
