Retreat by Design?

The U.S. Department of War is considering a radical overhaul of its military command-and-control system, one that could result in one of the largest redistributions of authority within the American armed forces in decades. The initiative is being prepared at the direction of War Secretary Pete Hegseth and is aimed at reducing the number of senior headquarters and four-star generals while redefining U.S. strategic priorities.

It appears that the plan would downgrade the status of several key combatant commands, including Central Command (CENTCOM), European Command (EUCOM), and Africa Command (AFRICOM). These commands would be subordinated to a new structure tentatively titled U.S. International Command. It appears that the reform reflects the Trump administration’s intent to accelerate the retreat from the long-standing model of permanent and expansive U.S. military presence in Europe and the Middle East.

Air Force General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is expected to present the proposal to the Secretary of War in the coming days. Pentagon officials emphasize that the discussions remain preliminary and that no final decisions have yet been taken.

A separate element of the plan involves merging U.S. Northern and Southern Commands into a single structure responsible for operations in the Western Hemisphere. This new command would be designated AMERICOM. Earlier proposals to establish a standalone Arctic Command have reportedly been abandoned.

If implemented, the reform would reduce the number of U.S. combatant commands from eleven to eight. This would, in turn, reduce the number of four-star generals and admirals reporting directly to the Secretary of War. The Indo-Pacific Command, Cyber Command, Special Operations Command, Space Command, Strategic Command, and Transportation Command would remain intact.

The proposal aligns closely with the Trump administration’s newly released National Security Strategy, which states explicitly that the era in which the United States acted as the Atlas holding up the global order has come to an end. The current command architecture can be described as showing clear signs of institutional fatigue and in urgent need of restructuring to speed up decision-making.

The initiative has triggered concern on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers have demanded that the Pentagon submit a detailed plan outlining costs and implications for U.S. allies. Until such documentation is provided, funding for the reorganization could be frozen for at least sixty days.

Critics warn that excessive centralization may weaken commanders’ ability to respond effectively at the regional level. Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel noted that the global security environment is becoming more complex, not less, and that consolidating command structures risks reducing the military’s capacity to prevent crises in their early stages.

The final decision will rest with Secretary Hegseth and President Donald Trump. If approved, the reform will be formalized through revisions to the Unified Command Plan, the foundational document governing the structure and authority of U.S. military commands.