US Army Chief of Staff Fired in Reported String of Dismissals

US Defence Secretary Orders Army Chief’s Immediate Retirement

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced on Thursday that General Randy A George, the current Army Chief of Staff, will be retiring from his position with immediate effect. The decision was made by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

In a statement posted on X, Parnell stated that George “will be retiring from his position”. He also expressed gratitude for General George’s decades of service to the nation.

General George, 61, was first appointed as Army Chief of Staff in 2023 under former US President Joe Biden. Prior to this role, he held multiple postings outside the US, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a statement praising General George’s dedication and service, stating that they are “profoundly thankful” for his years of sacrifice and devotion to those who serve.

This decision follows a string of high-profile dismissals within the US armed forces since Hegseth took office last January. Two other senior officials, General David M Hodne and Major General William Green Jr, were also removed from their positions on Thursday, although this has not been confirmed by the Pentagon.

The reasons for General George’s dismissal remain unclear, but it is reported that he had clashed with Defence Secretary Hegseth over a decision to block the promotion of four army officers.

Source: Al Jazeera