Washington:<Text>

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and immediately retire, CBS News reported Thursday. Citing sources familiar with the decision, the broadcaster said Hegseth wants someone in the role who would implement President Donald Trump and Hegseth's vision for the US Army.

According to Anadolu Agency, the current vice chief of staff of the Army, Gen. Christopher LaNeve, who formerly served as Hegseth's military aide, will likely be considered as a replacement, per the report. In 2021-2022, under the Biden administration, George served as senior military assistant to then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

On Thursday, the US Military Academy at West Point posted photos of George saying that during a visit he "shared experience-driven guidance with cadets preparing to lead." More than a dozen senior officers have been fired by Hegseth, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. C.Q. Brown, C hief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife, and Defense Intelligence Agency head Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse.

George assumed his duties as the US Army chief of staff on Sept. 21, 2023. The army chief of staff usually holds the position for a four-year term.