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US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel plans to announce a reduction in the number of senior leadership positions in the military by about 20%, which is double what was expected to be announced, according to US media on Tuesday.
The Washington Post, Fox, and ABC news networks reported, citing US officials, that Hagel will announce the new measures in a speech he will give on Wednesday on the 'State of the Forces' at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.
This step came after a series of dismissals and withheld promotions.
According to the newspaper, since taking office, Hagel has adopted a strict management style, reshaping the military leadership hierarchy through dismissals and demotions, often targeting women and minorities.
Despite the United States being at war with Iran since February 28, Hagel dismissed the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Randy George, in April.
A few days before the outbreak of war, two members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were also dismissed, namely the Chairman General Charles Brown Jr. and the Commander of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti.
A number of senior military leaders left the service through retirement or resignation, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who resigned earlier this month after repeated disagreements with Hagel.
The Pentagon did not respond to a request by Agence France-Presse for comment.
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