Two high-ranking military officers have been replaced in the Pentagon within just one week, signaling a noticeable shift in leadership and priorities under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine. While each departure had its own unique circumstances, both are drawing attention for what they reveal about the way the Trump administration is reshaping the military structure heading into 2026.
The first to step down was Lieutenant General Joseph McGee, who had served as the director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff — a position often referred to as “J5.” In that role, McGee was responsible for helping guide national military strategy and offering policy recommendations to top U.S. leadership, including the President. It’s a job that requires coordination with U.S. combat commands, federal agencies, and international allies.
McGee is widely known for his long and decorated service. He’s a combat-tested officer who led companies in the elite 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalions and later served as a battalion and brigade commander in the 101st Airborne Division. With 10 deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan under his belt, McGee is no stranger to military decision-making under pressure.
Lt. Gen. Joe McGee, director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff, left his Pentagon post earlier this month, following months of reported disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine. pic.twitter.com/G2jy5SqbCN
— Badlands Media (@BadlandsMedia_) October 31, 2025
However, his retirement was announced with a brief and formal statement that left room for speculation: “Lt Gen. JP McGee will retire after nearly three years of outstanding leadership and service on the Joint Staff. We are grateful for his 35 years of honorable and dedicated service to the Nation.”
According to CNN, McGee’s exit may be connected to reported disagreements with Secretary Hegseth and General Caine. He allegedly pushed back on various policy priorities, particularly related to Russia, Ukraine, and U.S. military presence in the Caribbean. While no official reason was given for the retirement, anonymous sources say McGee had been on the outs for a while. His last nomination for a higher post, made by then-President Biden, expired when the 118th Congress ended. President Trump has not renominated him, which many saw as a clear indication that McGee’s time at the Pentagon was running short.
McGee also had close ties to former military leadership — including former Joint Chiefs Chair Mark Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin — both of whom left office under a cloud of criticism and alleged mismanagement. Some believe those connections may have further isolated McGee in the current leadership climate.
The second notable change was the replacement of Rear Admiral Kurt J. Rothenhaus, who had served as the chief of the Office of Naval Research (ONR). He was reassigned to command the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR), a position seen by many as a lateral move rather than a demotion. Rothenhaus has more than three decades of service and holds a Ph.D. in Software Engineering.
What raised eyebrows was his replacement — Rachel Riley, a 33-year-old former partner at McKinsey & Company, a global consulting firm. Riley most recently worked as a senior advisor in the Department of Health and Human Services and has ties to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an internal agency launched under the Trump administration to streamline bureaucracy and cut waste. Despite some criticism of her lack of military or scientific background, officials familiar with the ONR say her appointment is not out of line. The ONR’s top leadership roles are typically not held by scientists, but rather by individuals capable of managing budgets, setting priorities, and overseeing operations.
Riley’s experience at McKinsey and DOGE may be seen as a strategic match for a position focused more on administrative leadership than technical expertise. According to defense officials, scientists and engineers within ONR handle the research — the director’s job is more about resource allocation and organizational strategy.
Since the start of 2025, Secretary Hegseth and General Caine have made sweeping changes. Over a dozen top military leaders have either been removed, reassigned, or retired. This includes former Joint Chiefs Chair General CQ Brown, Admiral Lisa Franchetti — the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations — the directors of both the National Security Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency, as well as other senior positions across the Army, Navy, and Air Force legal offices.
These changes reflect a clear push by the Trump administration to bring in new leadership aligned with its current defense and security goals. While some call it a purge, others point to a broader effort to reshape the Pentagon in a way that reflects new strategic priorities. Either way, it’s clear that the nation’s military leadership is going through one of its most significant transformations in years.
