Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey has announced his departure from the position of military commander of U.S. Southern Command, set for December, concluding his tenure two years earlier than anticipated. The announcement comes amidst a wave of significant exits from the War Department during Secretary Pete Hegseth's tenure.
Admiral Holsey, who previously served as deputy commander from 2023 to 2024, has been a part of the military hierarchy for 34 months. "Serving as your commander and deputy for the past 34 months has been a tremendous honor," Holsey stated in his announcement, reflecting on his service.
The admiral's early retirement adds to a growing list of high-level military officials who have stepped down recently, a pattern that has caught the attention of lawmakers and observers monitoring Pentagon personnel changes. Holsey's responsibilities included overseeing operations against narcoterrorists in the Caribbean region. Sources suggest that disagreements had arisen between Holsey and Hegseth regarding these operations, particularly their frequency and strategy.
The timing of Holsey's announcement is noteworthy, coming on the heels of a Thursday military strike against a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean, an operation that saw three crew members survive. U.S. search and rescue assets were deployed, but confirmation of successful rescues has not been forthcoming, as reported by Fox News. This recent strike is part of a series of operations in the region, which have included previous military actions near Venezuela resulting in at least 27 fatalities. These operations have sparked debate among legal experts and Democratic lawmakers about adherence to international laws of war.
The Trump administration has defended the strikes, asserting that the United States is in conflict with narcoterrorist groups based in Venezuela, thereby legitimizing the military actions. However, reports indicate that Admiral Holsey had expressed concerns about the increasing attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels and the implications for his position amid broader changes at the Pentagon, as reported by the Daily Mail.
These personnel shifts at the Pentagon have included the termination of several high-ranking officials, such as former Defense Intelligence Agency head Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, chief of the Navy Reserve, and Rear Adm. Milton Sands of Naval Special Warfare Command. Navy chief of staff Jon Harrison and General Charles Q. Brown Jr., former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are among the most prominent removals. Moreover, the administration has revoked security clearances from various national and former national security officials.
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, voiced concern over Admiral Holsey's resignation, stating, "Admiral Holsey’s resignation only deepens my concern that this administration is ignoring the hard-earned lessons of previous U.S. military campaigns and the advice of our most experienced warfighters," as reported by Daily Mail.
Admiral Holsey assumed leadership of U.S. Southern Command in November, overseeing military activities in the Caribbean Sea and surrounding South American waters. Command positions like this typically last between three and four years, making Holsey's less-than-one-year tenure highly unusual.
Reflecting on his 37-year military career in a social media statement, Holsey praised the SOUTHCOM team's contributions to national defense and expressed confidence in their continued mission. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth extended gratitude for Holsey's over 37 years of service, recognizing his exemplary conduct.
