Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed the Pentagon’s top military planner, a defense official said Wednesday. The decision marks the latest in a series of high-ranking generals removed under Hegseth and comes as President Trump considers whether to authorize renewed strikes against Iran in the eight-month-old conflict.
Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed as director of strategy, plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Sylvia is the second general to be ousted from the position, known within the military as the “J5,” during Hegseth’s tenure.
His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October.
The defense official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the personnel matter is sensitive, said Sylvia does not yet have an immediate replacement and that no reason was provided for his dismissal. The Atlantic first reported the move.
A Joint Staff spokesperson said, “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” and “wish him and his family the best.”
The J5 director and staff typically develop and coordinate military plans in consultation with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the president.
Sylvia’s removal comes as Trump has repeatedly suggested that the US could launch new military operations against Iran.
Trump has pledged to “finish the job” in Iran after launching the war with Israel eight months ago. He has also said additional strikes remain an option after next week’s midterm elections.
Two diplomats briefed on the matter said US officials have warned several Middle Eastern countries and regional allies to prepare for possible renewed military action after Tuesday’s elections, as well as the possibility that Iran could retaliate against them.
According to the diplomats, Trump has not made a final decision about launching new strikes.
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A third US aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are also heading toward the region.
Before joining the Joint Staff, Sylvia commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025, according to his official biography, which has since been removed from the internet. He previously served as the J5’s vice director.
Sylvia is the latest of nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other military leaders to be fired, compelled to retire or otherwise leave their positions during Hegseth’s tenure. In nearly all of those cases, the Pentagon has not publicly explained the departures.
The exits have included the civilian secretaries of the Army and Navy, along with several senior uniformed officers from the military services.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to messages requesting comment late Wednesday.
Last month, Hegseth said he had ordered the military to double planned reductions in the number of senior officers, bringing the total cut to 20% by Jan. 1, 2027. The military currently has about 800 general and flag officer positions.
“I call it accountability and long overdue,” Hegseth told junior officers and enlisted leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30.
Some members of Congress have condemned the reductions in general officer ranks as a “purge” that could take years to reverse.
“He’s got some kind of like deep-seated grievance about leadership in the military,” Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a former Navy combat pilot who has criticized Hegseth, said last month.
“He’s purging a generation of great leaders of the military, and it’s going to take a generation to recover from it.”
