The U.S. Army removed Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza from his position as commanding general of V Corps in recent days. The removal occurred approximately two months before his scheduled departure from the role, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to The Hill on Friday on the condition of anonymity.
Lt. Gen. Costanza led V Corps, a forward-deployed unit with headquarters at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Camp Kościuszko, Poland. He previously served as the deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Europe-Africa and as the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
An Army spokesperson confirmed the removal, stating the matter was referred to the appropriate authority under Army regulations. Brig. Gen. John B. Mountford has been named acting commanding general. While other senior military leaders have been removed under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, two sources familiar with the matter stated Costanza's removal was not political and not directed by Hegseth. One former defense official alleged Costanza had an alcohol problem.
The scale of the leadership change involves the early dismissal of a three-star general who was originally slated to remain in his post until October. The transition occurs as U.S. officials, including Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), have noted delays in the deployment of specific units, such as the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, to Polish territory. Service members and their families involved in these rotations would notice these changes through official deployment schedules and command directives issued from the V Corps headquarters.
The move follows a series of high-level personnel changes within the Army, including the previous removal of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Gen. Chris Donahue. Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey, who was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general in July, is scheduled to assume permanent command of V Corps in October. Until that date, Brig. Gen. Mountford will manage the daily operations and readiness of the corps' European and domestic components.