The U.S. Coast Guard plans to cut one-quarter of its 46 flag officer positions this year in a move that acting Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said is part of a force redesign aimed at improving effectiveness.

In a Coast Guard-wide message May 15, Lunday said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem "determined that there is redundant executive oversight" in the service that "hinders efficient decision-making and service effectiveness."

The goal is to reduce the number of flag officers by about 25% over the next seven months, cutting at least a dozen positions. The positions will be eliminated and the flag officer corps redesigned, according to the message.

The move follows an order earlier this month by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to cut the number of active-duty general and flag officer ranks in the DoD services by 10%. That plan also calls for reducing the number of four-star positions by 20%.