Administrator Alvin Holsey, the commander of US Southern Command who reportedly clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the legality of US military strikes in the Caribbean, officially retired on Friday in a ceremony in Florida where he handed the reins of command to his deputy.
Holsey thanked his wife, sons – one of whom is a currently deployed Naval aviator – and others who attended the event.
“I remember that in life, we don’t remember days, we remember moments. Leaders don’t follow titles, they follow courage, and they remember the moments and how you made them feel,” said Holsey. “They remember their listeners and treat them with dignity and respect.”
Holsey will be replaced by Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus of the Air Force, who has served as his deputy in Southern Command since Holsey was elevated to the role last year.
The Southern Command is responsible for managing US military operations in most of Latin America and the Caribbean Sea.
Holsey’s retirement was announced in October by Hegseth, less than a year into Holsey’s command and just days after the United States carried out its fifth attack on an alleged drug-trafficking boat off the coast of Venezuela. Hegseth and Holsey had a disagreement over US operations in the region, two sources familiar with the matter previously told CNN.
Hegseth felt that Holsey was not moving aggressively enough to fight drug traffickers in the Southern Command’s area of operations, CNN reported, while Southern Command officials were concerned about the legality of the strikes.
Those issues came to a head in an Oct. 6 meeting at the Pentagon between Holsey, Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. One of the sources familiar with the situation said that Holsey offered to leave his post during that meeting, CNN reported, but the offer was put forward.
The legality of US strikes against alleged drug boats has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks as lawmakers demanded answers about a follow-up strike in September that killed two survivors of an initial attack.
Caine, who presided over Friday’s ceremony, called Holsey a “quiet professional” and “an extraordinary person who always led with your heart, with your head, and went all out every day of your service.”
“You have made an incredible difference to our joint force. You have made an incredible difference here at this headquarters. You make an incredible difference to this nation … we will always be grateful for the gift of a great example for you and for the service and sacrifice of your family, and for the way that you have approached the professional wisdom of leadership and service,” said Cain. “The impact you had will last for a long, long time.”
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