Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says the number of generals and admirals in the U.S. military signify a "top-heavy" command structure and will be reduced over time, The Washington Times reports.

In an address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C., Carter said:"In the coming weeks the Defense Department will look to simplify and improve command and control where the number of four-star positions have made headquarters either top-heavy or less efficient than they could be ..."So where we see potential to be more efficient and effective, billets currently filled by four-star generals and admirals will be filled by three-stars in the future."The move comes under the auspices of the Goldwater-Nichols Act, which allows for the reshuffling of the nation's military command structure.