Posted on 12/16/2025 3:04:34 AM PST by where's_the_Outrage?
The commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), whose area of operations includes the Caribbean waters where the strikes against the alleged drug boats have been conducted, retired Friday as scrutiny surrounding the attacks mounts.
Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, who became the head of Southern Command in November 2024, announced suddenly in October that he would retire from the military as operations heated up in the region that the administration claims is part of President Donald Trump’s crusade against the influx of drugs into the U.S.
The Trump administration designated drug cartel groups like Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa and others as foreign terrorist organizations in February, and bolstered its naval assets in the region in recent months under Holsey’s leadership — including signing off on the unprecedented step of sending the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to the region.
"We have worked hard and tirelessly to build relationships and understand requirements across the region," Holsey said during the retirement ceremony, according to a news release. "To be a trusted partner, we must be credible, present and engaged.".....
Holsey's retirement less than a year into his tenure leading the combatant command is highly unusual. In comparison, former SOUTHCOM commander, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, served in the role from 2021 to 2024.
Holsey did not give a reason for his departure in October, and didn’t share any additional details Friday,
However, Holsey had raised "concerns" about the strikes, attracting the ire of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, The New York Times reported. Hegseth already believed that Holsey wasn’t cracking down on the alleged drug traffickers more aggressively, and Holsey’s concerns prompted the relationship between the two leaders to unravel even further, the Times said.
As a result, Hegseth pressured Holsey to step down, according to the Times.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Isn’t SOUTHCOM going away?
“Pentagon plans may involve consolidating commands like SOUTHCOM into a new “Americas Command” (AMERICOM) to streamline operations against threats from China and Russia.”
As an armed forces retiree, don’t read too much into the decision for any service member to reach the trigger point to decide to retire.
There are dozens and dozens of mitigating and extenuating circumstances in everyone’s life that weight in. Most factors are only known to the service member. Stupid things like not being able to go fishing as much for the last 30 years at the childhood favorite fishing spot.
It just wells up inside mostly out of the blue... “it’s time”.
What a chickenshit! He vastly preferred just cruising around and doing nothing stressful and crucial. So now he can live a stress free retirement with loads of cash inflow.
Yup. Dad was career USAF. Joined back in the ‘brown shoe days’. Some guys couldn’t wait for the 20 year mark to ‘get out’. Dad kept at it as long as he enjoyed it. When he became more teacher than doer he decided “it’s time”.
The Admiral was appointed by the Biden Administration after the Democrats lost the 2024 election to Trump
Sounds like Adm. Alvin Holsey was a Biden guy and not a Trump military leader.
Military retirements do not “just happen”. It takes planning on the member’s part and bureaucratic proceedings on the Navy’s part. It usually takes about six months from the initial retirement request (1306).
This was planned some time ago.
That could very well be. He announced his retirement back in October. Since he was 60 years old with 37 years of service, it's reasonable to assume he just wanted to retire.
“Admiral Holsey notified me ...”
“That’s Hedly”
comes to mind.
Heres Alvin
I think this was a subtle dig at Trump and Pete: “We have worked hard and tirelessly to build relationships and understand requirements across the region,” Holsey said
He probably doesn’t like Trump’s Gunboat diplomacy approach.
Really good, very long article about Pentagon leadership.
A Week In The Pentagon – Chaos, Complexity and Hope
https://gcaptain.com/a-week-in-the-pentagon-chaos-complexity-and-hope/
He’s the same age as I am, so I can certainly understand him wanting to step down and I wouldn’t look further than that.
He was promoted in a vastly different environment than he found himself in after the election so he decided to hang it up. My only curiosity that can’t be answered is would he still be hanging it up if Kamala won.
At 60 I too dream of retirement, but unfortunately my destiny is probably the same as my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who started this business I’m running now, feet first being rolled out horizontal.
Better slowly scaling back and doing what you can and still love than sitting at home waiting to die yelling at the TV screen I guess.
No , Alvin was a moron Pres Jill / Austin DEI hire and he was pushed
out the door .
He was a Dei Dem spy meant to gum up the Works .
All these Pres Jill / Austin DEI hires need to be replaced now .
DEI promotion.
“crusade against the influx of drugs into the U.S.”
he’s going to war with the cartels who are killing 70k+ Americans every year.
of course, the left, and their agents, are against this.
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