Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Hegseth removes Pentagon's top military planner as Trump weighs Iran strikes
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Lt.
Gen.
Brett Sylvia from his role as the Pentagon's top military planner.
Sylvia led the Joint Chiefs of Staff office responsible for developing and coordinating military plans and advice for senior leaders.
He is the second general Hegseth has removed from the J5 post; his predecessor, Lt.
Gen.
Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last year.
The change comes during an eight-month war involving the United States and Israel against Iran, as President Donald Trump weighs possible renewed strikes.
US officials have warned regional countries to prepare for possible military action and Iranian retaliation, while a third US aircraft carrier and additional troops are heading to the region.
Trump has made no final decision, and Sylvia has no named replacement, so the timing and leadership of the planning office remain unclear.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia from his role as the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s top military planner.
No reason was given for Sylvia’s dismissal, and no immediate replacement was announced.
The move came as President Donald Trump was weighing possible renewed strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections.
The J5 director helps develop and coordinate military plans for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president.
Sylvia is the second general to leave the J5 post under Hegseth.
- Who
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia from his post.
- What
- Sylvia was dismissed as director of strategy, plans and policy, known as the J5, on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- When
- Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Where
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon, Washington.
- Why
- No reason for the dismissal was given.
Pete Hegseth
Critics of cuts to senior military ranks
Cuts to senior ranks
Pete Hegseth
Hegseth said the cuts were “accountability and long overdue.
Critics of cuts to senior military ranks
Some members of Congress have called the cuts a “purge” that could take years to reverse.
Effects on military leadership
Pete Hegseth
Hegseth said the military should reduce top officer positions by 20%.
Critics of cuts to senior military ranks
Senator Mark Kelly said the dismissals were purging a generation of military leaders and would take a generation to recover from.
Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, Sylvia’s predecessor as J5 director, was forced to retire.
Hegseth described planned cuts to top military officer positions as “accountability and long overdue.
Hegseth removed Sylvia from the J5 post; officials gave no reason and named no immediate replacement.
Trump said new strikes on Iran were an option, but officials said he had not made a final decision.
- J5 director
- Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia
- Role
- Director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Prior command
- 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
- Previous J5 director
- Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee
- Planned reduction in top officer positions
- 20% by January 1, 2027
- Current flag and general officer positions
- Roughly 800
5 sources
Hegseth fires Pentagon's top military planner even as Trump considers new Iran strikes
Hegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planner as Trump weighs new Iran strikes
Hegseth ousts Pentagon’s chief planner as renewed action against Iran looms, source says
Hegseth ousts top military planner at Pentagon as Trump considers launching strikes on Iran after midterms
Hegseth fires the Pentagon's top military planner
What people are saying
I call it accountability and long overdue
He’s purging a generation of great leaders of the military, and it’s going to take a generation to recover from it.
The Chairman, the Joint Staff, and the Joint Force extend our deepest gratitude to Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia and his family for their 32 years of distinguished service to our nation.