Defense Secretary Hegseth fires Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia from Pentagon planning role
The removal leaves a key planning post vacant as the administration considers new strikes on Iran.
By Larissa Shah ·
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the Pentagon’s top military planner on Wednesday, leaving a critical strategy post empty while President Donald Trump weighs new attacks on Iran. The decision removes Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia from his position as head of strategy, plans, and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This move occurs eight months after the United States launched a war against Iran alongside Israel.
Sylvia is the second general to lose the J5 position under Hegseth. His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October. A defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity said there is no immediate replacement for Sylvia. The official also stated that the Pentagon has not provided a reason for the firing. The Atlantic reported the move first.
The Joint Staff spokesperson expressed gratitude for Sylvia’s 32 years of service. The statement wished him and his family the best. The J5 director typically works with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president to generate and coordinate military plans. Sylvia’s departure coincides with Trump’s repeated suggestions to start new military operations against Iran.
Trump has vowed to finish the job in Iran. He said new strikes are an option after the midterm elections scheduled for next week. Two diplomats briefed on the matter said U.S. officials told several Middle East countries to prepare for potential renewed action. They also warned those allies to be ready for possible Iranian retaliation. Trump has not yet made a final decision on new strikes.
Military resources are shifting toward the region. A third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are currently moving into the area. Sylvia previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025. He also served as the vice director for the J5 before his current role. His official biography has been taken offline.
Sylvia is the latest in a series of nearly two dozen senior military leaders to leave under Hegseth. The departures include forced retirements and firings of generals, admirals, and civilian secretaries for the Army and Navy. The Pentagon has not publicly explained most of these exits. Hegseth ordered the military to cut the number of top officers by 20% by January 1, 2027. There are currently roughly 800 flag and general officer positions.
Hegseth called the cuts an act of accountability that was long overdue. He made this statement to junior officers and enlisted leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30. Some members of Congress have criticized the reductions as a purge. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said the cuts will take years to rebuild. He described Hegseth as having a deep-seated grievance against military leadership.
