Hegseth removes top Pentagon planner amid Iran strike deliberations

Washington, D.C. Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed as the head of strategy, plans and policy at the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the dismissal, according to a defense official. Sylvia held the position known as the J5, which oversees the development and coordination of military strategy with the president and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters. No immediate replacement has been named for Sylvia, and the Pentagon has not provided a public reason for the firing. A spokesperson for the Joint Staff thanked Sylvia and his family for 32 years of service in a written statement. The statement also wished the family the best. The move follows the departure of Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, who was forced to retire from the same post last October.

The personnel change occurs while President Donald Trump evaluates renewed strikes against Iran. The conflict with Iran, launched jointly with Israel eight months ago, has continued through the fall. Trump has stated that new military operations are an option following the midterm elections scheduled for next week. He has vowed to finish the job in Iran. Two diplomats briefed on the matter said U.S. officials told Middle East countries and regional allies to prepare for potential renewed action and possible Iranian retaliation. The diplomats noted that Trump has not made a final decision on new strikes.

Military assets are moving into the region in anticipation of increased activity. A third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are en route. Before joining the Joint Staff, Sylvia served as the commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He held that role until May 2025. His official biography, which previously detailed his career, has since been taken offline.

Sylvia is the second general to be ousted from the J5 position under Hegseth. He is part of a larger group of nearly two dozen military leaders who have been fired, forced to retire, or departed during the secretary’s tenure. Most of these departures have not been publicly explained. The group includes civilian secretaries for the Army and Navy, as well as top uniformed officers. In September, Hegseth told leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico that he ordered a 20 percent decrease in the number of top officers by January 1, 2027. There are currently roughly 800 flag and general officer positions.

Some members of Congress have criticized the reductions. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., called the cuts a purge that will take years to rebuild. Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot, said Hegseth is purging a generation of great leaders. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment late Wednesday.