Hegseth Removes Pentagon Strategist as Trump Weighs Iran Strikes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia as head of the Joint Chiefs’ J-5 strategy, plans and policy directorate. No reason was given and no successor named. The Joint Staff extended deepest gratitude for Sylvia’s 32 years of distinguished service and wished him and his family the best. Sylvia commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell until May 2025 and previously served as J-5 vice director. He is the second J-5 chief ousted under Hegseth after Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee was forced to retire last October. His biography was taken offline. The Atlantic first reported the move. The step comes as President Trump weighs renewed Iran strikes. U.S. officials notified Middle East allies to prepare; Trump has not decided, and no direct link to Sylvia’s removal is established. Nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other leaders have departed under Hegseth. He ordered top-officer cuts doubled to 20% by Jan. 1, 2027. At Quantico on Sept. 30 he said, “I call it accountability and long overdue.” Sen. Mark Kelly said Hegseth has “some kind of like deep-seated grievance about leadership in the military” and is “purging a generation of great leaders of the military, and it's going to take a generation to recover from it.” Contested: none in record.