Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is planning a sweeping reorganization of the U.S. military’s command structure, which would reduce the role of U.S. Central, European, and Africa Commands under a new U.S. International Command, according to reporting by The Washington Post. The proposal would also consolidate Northern and Southern Commands under a new U.S. Americas Command to focus on operations in the Western Hemisphere.

Defense officials say the plan is intended to speed decision-making and improve command efficiency. We reached out to the Department of Defense for comment; a spokesperson reiterated that the Pentagon does not comment on pre-decisional or rumored internal discussions.

Why It Matters

If implemented, the reorganization would mark one of the largest changes to the Pentagon’s senior leadership in decades. It would reduce the number of combatant commands from 11 to eight and decrease the number of four-star generals and admirals who report directly to the Secretary of Defense. Lawmakers have already required the Pentagon to submit a cost and impact blueprint before any funds are used toward implementing the plan, delaying its rollout by at least 60 days.

What To Know

The proposed reorganization would:

• Place U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Africa Command under U.S. International Command.


• Place U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command under U.S. Americas Command (“Americom”).


• Scrap plans for a new U.S. Arctic Command under Americom.


• Leave other commands intact, including Indo-Pacific Command, Space Command, Special Operations Command, Transportation Command, and Strategic Command.

Congress has moved to require a Pentagon blueprint outlining costs and impact before any reorganization funds can be used. This is included in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. Pentagon spokespersons emphasized that there is no division within the Department and that the plan remains pre-decisional.

Past reorganizations provide context: U.S. Africa Command was established in 2008, and U.S. Cyber Command was elevated to unified command status in 2018. Experts, including former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, have expressed concerns that consolidating too many commands could hinder the ability to address complex global threats.

What People Are Saying

Chuck Hagel, former Secretary of Defense, told The Washington Post: “The world isn’t getting any less complicated. You want commands that have the capability of heading off problems before they become big problems, and I think you lose some of that when you unify or consolidate too many.”

What Happens Next

The plan must be formally approved by Secretary Hegseth and President Donald Trump. Congressional oversight will delay any funding for at least 60 days after the Pentagon submits its blueprint. Further details, including potential adjustments to command leadership and responsibilities, are expected once the Department of Defense provides its formal plan.