Alvin Holsey gets ready to speak at his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in 2024. Getty Images
The head of the U.S. military’s southern command, Admiral Alvin Holsey, will retire at the end of the year, according to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The announcement comes as U.S. forces carry out military strikes in the Caribbean and tensions grow with Venezuela.
Hegseth shared the news on social media, thanking Holsey for his “more than 37 years of distinguished service.” He did not explain the reason for Holsey’s early retirement, which comes less than a year after he took command.
Holsey assumed leadership of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in early 2025, overseeing all U.S. military operations across Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. Commanders in this role typically serve for about three years.
Reports of Internal Tension
A source familiar with the situation said there had been growing tension between Admiral Holsey and Secretary Hegseth in recent weeks. Some officials reportedly questioned whether Holsey would be dismissed before his decision to retire.
According to reports, Holsey raised concerns about recent U.S. operations in the Caribbean, including air and naval strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking. An unnamed official said Holsey had questioned the scope and intent of the missions, which he believed carried political and regional risks.
Hegseth, who recently rebranded the Department of Defense as the “Department of War,” praised Holsey’s long career but did not mention the disagreements.
A Distinguished Naval Career
Holsey, 59, began his military career in 1988 after completing the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Morehouse College in Atlanta, a historically Black university. Over nearly four decades, he earned numerous honours and rose through the ranks to become one of the Navy’s highest-ranking officers.
In a statement posted to SOUTHCOM’s social media account, Holsey confirmed he will officially retire on December 12. He thanked the 1,200 service members and civilians under his command, encouraging them to “stay focused on the mission that strengthens our nation and keeps it a beacon of freedom around the world.”
“Keep charging!!” he added at the end of his message.
Lawmakers Express Concern
Holsey’s sudden departure sparked concern among lawmakers in Washington. Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the move “alarming” and said it could signal instability within the military’s leadership.
“Any operation to intervene militarily in Venezuela—especially without congressional approval—would be unwise and dangerous,” Reed warned. “Admiral Holsey’s resignation only deepens my concern that this administration is ignoring hard-earned lessons from past conflicts.”
The situation adds to recent turmoil within the U.S. military leadership. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump dismissed Air Force General C.Q. Brown Jr., the nation’s first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as part of an effort to remove senior officers seen as promoting diversity and inclusion in the armed forces.
Holsey, who previously appeared in a 2021 public service video encouraging Black Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, has not commented further on his retirement.
