Overview
- A draft proposal prepared for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine would reorganize the U.S. military’s command structure from 11 combatant commands to eight, according to multiple reports.
- U.S. Central Command, European Command and Africa Command would be placed under a new umbrella called U.S. International Command.
- U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command would be merged into U.S. Americas Command, and a floated Arctic Command concept was reportedly set aside.
- The plan would reduce the number of four-star leaders reporting directly to Hegseth and is described by supporters as a way to speed decisions and redirect resources toward the Western Hemisphere in line with the new National Security Strategy.
- The Pentagon declined to discuss the unfinalized proposal, experts cautioned about potential risks to alliances and regional responsiveness, and any changes would still require internal approval and face the congressional funding hold.