Defense

Gen. George says Army deserves ‘leaders of character’ in farewell letter

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by Ryan Mancini - 04/04/26 4:00 PM ET

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by Ryan Mancini - 04/04/26 4:00 PM ET

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Gen. Randy George, the U.S. Army’s chief of staff ousted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, on Friday sent a farewell letter saying the Army deserves “leaders of character.”

George thanked Army officials for their support in an email posted on Reddit’s Army page. An Army official confirmed the email’s legitimacy to The Hill.

“I know you’ll all continue to stay laser-focused on the mission, continue innovating, and relentlessly cut through the bureaucracy to get our warfighters what they need to win on the modern battlefield,” George wrote.

“Our soldiers are truly the best in the world –– they deserve tough training and courageous leaders of character,” he continued. “I have no doubt you will all continue to lead with courage, character and grit.”

George said he looked back on his 38-year career in the Army with “immeasurable pride” and always chose to “‘stay another tour’ because of the selfless people I was blessed to serve alongside.”

Hegseth on Thursday asked George to step down and retire immediately. The secretary removed Maj. Gen. William Green, the Army’s Chief of Chaplains, and Gen. David Hodne, who headed the Army’s Transformation and Training Command since last year, the same day. Hegseth previously ordered Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to remove Col. David Butler, one of his top advisers, in February.

George’s ousting is another example of tension between Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer who attained the rank of major, and the Army’s leadership. Hegseth has fired over a dozen senior military officers since taking the helm at the Pentagon.

Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Army’s vice chief of staff since February, was tapped as George’s replacement in an acting capacity.

Republican lawmakers praised George after he was ousted. House Armed Services Committee Chair Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said while George was the Army chief of staff, “we made great progress on increasing recruitment, improving efficiency, and modernizing the Army.”

“Throughout his long career in service to America, Gen. George has demonstrated his commitment, courage, and leadership,” Rogers said.

Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) told Newsmax’s Ed Henry that he “would look into it immediately” as to why the four-star general was fired.

“I’ve never heard him say anything contrary to what the president’s trying to achieve,” McCormick said. “I thought he’s done a really good job getting the Army ready for war. So, I’d like to hear more because that’s concerning to me.”

Filip Timotija contributed.

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