By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters)

Members of President-elect Donald Trump's transition team are preparing a list of military officers to be fired, potentially including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to two sources. This unprecedented move at the Pentagon is still in early planning stages following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory.

One source expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such a mass dismissal, and it remains unclear if Trump would support the plan. Trump has criticized defense leaders previously and mentioned firing "woke" generals during his campaign, specifically those linked to the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.

The second source indicated the incoming administration might target military officers associated with Mark Milley, Trump’s former chairman of the Joint Chiefs who has faced backlash from Trump allies for perceived disloyalty. The source claimed that every person appointed under Milley would be dismissed.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff, which includes high-ranking leaders from every branch of the U.S. military, could face significant changes. This news follows Trump selecting Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary, who has advocated for a thorough overhaul of Pentagon leadership in his upcoming book.

Hegseth noted, "The next president of the United States needs to radically overhaul Pentagon senior leadership to make us ready to defend our nation and defeat our enemies. Lots of people need to be fired."

However, concerns also arise about Hegseth’s management experience and how it might impact his confirmation. Hegseth has critiqued General C.Q. Brown, Milley’s successor, questioning whether his appointment was based on merit or race.

The initial sources mentioned that along with Brown, all vice chiefs would likely be promptly relieved of duty as part of this early planning strategy.

Some current and former officials are cautioning against such extensive changes, highlighting the potential risks during tumultuous times marked by global conflicts.

The first source pointed out the bureaucratic challenges in executing such a significant shakeup but acknowledged that the Trump camp perceives a need to reduce the size of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The source reiterated that these officers are replaceable, citing historical precedents where capable leaders swiftly stepped into roles during crises, leading to success during World War II.