The U.S. Army is discreetly contemplating a reduction of up to 90,000 active-duty troops — a significant cutback that might decrease the force to as few as 360,000 soldiers, as reported by Military.com.

This initiative arises amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s advocacy for an 8% reduction in the Pentagon’s budget and as the military redirects its focus away from Europe and counterterrorism initiatives.

The prospective cuts align with the defense leadership’s aim to transform the Army into a smaller, swifter, and more technologically advanced force, tailored for future conflicts, especially in the Pacific where China is perceived as an escalating threat.

The proposed Army cuts come in the wake of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s call for increased European NATO spending during a visit to Brussels on Thursday. (JACQUELYN MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

One official warned the cuts could hit hard if not managed carefully. “If we reduce the force without a clear retention strategy, we risk losing talented people who have other options,” the official told Military.com.

The U.S. Army has been a key player in supporting NATO amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, a mission the Trump administration has often criticized.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, delivered a clear message from President Donald Trump: Europe must step up. 

“He’s against a NATO that lacks the capabilities needed to fulfill its obligations,” Rubio said. “This is a hard truth, but one that must be addressed.”

US Army equipment and military vehicles are pictured during preparations for loading on cargo ships for repatriation from the Esbjerg Harbor during Operation Raven Assistor in Esbjerg, western Denmark, on April 3, 2025. (BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

The Army cut around 24,000 positions tied to counterterrorism last year, but those roles were mostly unfilled.

Despite recruiting challenges in recent years, the Army met its 2024 enlistment goal of 55,000 by the end of the fiscal year in September.