"Jon Harrison, who was appointed in January, had been key to broad changes made to the navy's policy and budgeting offices. Together with John Phelan, a Trump mega-donor who was confirmed as navy secretary in March, Harrison had reportedly sought to limit the influence of the navy under secretary, who typically has a key role in managing that military branch's budget. The Pentagon confirmed Harrison's departure in a statement to Politico, which first reported his departure."
"Harrison's firing comes days after Hung Cao, a former naval officer who ran for Senate as a Republican last year, was confirmed as navy under secretary. Politico previously reported that Harrison and Phelan, who had no prior military experience before being appointed, had reassigned several top aides who were supposed to help Cao adjust to his role. According to Politico, that move was intended to reduce the influence of the under secretary's role."
"In May he ordered the military to cut 20% of its four-star generals and admirals, while Hegseth and Trump have fired more than half a dozen top generals since January. They have also fired the only two women serving as four-star officers. In February Hegseth fired air force general CQ Brown Jr, the chair of the joint chiefs of staff and the second Black man to serve in that role."
Pete Hegseth fired Navy Chief of Staff Jon Harrison, who had led substantial changes in the Navy's policy and budgeting offices. Harrison and Navy Secretary John Phelan had sought to limit the influence of the Navy under secretary and reassigned aides intended to reduce that office's role. Harrison's departure followed the confirmation of Hung Cao as Navy under secretary. The personnel move occurs amid broader turbulence at the Pentagon, including an order to cut 20% of four‑star officers and multiple dismissals of top generals, the firing of two women four‑star officers, and a speech opposing diversity and inclusion that drew furious reactions from many veterans.
#navy-leadership #pentagon-personnel-changes #defense-secretary-hegseth #diversity-and-inclusion-controversy
Read at www.theguardian.com
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