Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey salutes during a relinquishment of command and retirement ceremony at US Southern Command in Doral, Florida, on Friday, December 12, 2025. Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Adm. 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 the command to his deputy.

Holsey thanked his wife, his sons — one of whom is a currently deployed Naval aviator — and others who attended the event.

“I’m reminded that in life, we don’t remember days, we remember moments. Those we lead don’t follow titles, they follow courage, and they remember the moments and how you made them feel,” Holsey said. “The

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