Army Chief of Staff Fired by Hegseth, Sources Say U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Randy George was dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday, according to three U.S. defense officials. The Pentagon confirmed George’s immediate retirement from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army, citing gratitude for his decades of service and well-wishes for his future. The department did not disclose the reason for his removal, which occurs as the U.S. military intensifies its presence in the Middle East amid operations against Iran. George, who had over a year remaining in his term, was abruptly replaced despite no public indication of conflict with Hegseth. The firing follows a pattern of high-level Pentagon purges, including the dismissal of General David Hodne, head of the Army’s Transformation and Training Command, and Major General William Green, leader of the Army’s Chaplain Corps. Hegseth’s actions have included controversial moves such as firing the Army’s top lawyer and orchestrating a military parade to mark the Army’s 250th birthday, coinciding with former President Trump’s birthday. The U.S. military’s focus in the Middle East involves Navy and Air Force strikes against Iran, with Army units deployed for air defense and potential ground operations. The Army, the largest branch with approximately 450,000 active-duty soldiers, has begun sending thousands of troops from its elite 82nd Airborne Division to the region. The Pentagon’s decision to remove George comes amid ongoing tensions, though officials noted the dismissal was unrelated to a recent reversal of an Army investigation into pilots flying near singer Kid Rock’s home, which Hegseth had previously supported. George, an infantry officer with experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, was confirmed to his role in 2023.#middle_east #pentagon #pete_hegseth #randy_george #army_chief_of_staff
