Hegseth dismisses Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia from top Pentagon planning post

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia from the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Wednesday. Sylvia held the J5 position, which oversees strategy, plans, and policy for the entire U.S. military. A Pentagon official told CBS News late Wednesday that the dismissal followed an accusation of misconduct related to leaking classified information about the Iran war.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that Sylvia failed three polygraph examinations concerning the sharing of sensitive press materials. The department has now referred the matter to the Department of Justice. This action marks the second time Hegseth has replaced the J5 director in twelve months. His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire in October of last year.

Sylvia’s departure occurs while President Donald Trump considers new military strikes against Iran. The president has vowed to finish the job in Iran following the start of the war with Israel eight months ago. He indicated that new strikes remain an option after next week’s midterm elections. U.S. officials have briefed regional allies in the Middle East on these potential actions and the risk of Iranian retaliation.

Military assets are already moving into the region. A third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are en route. The Joint Staff director is responsible for generating and coordinating military plans with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president. Sylvia’s removal leaves a vacancy at the top of that planning chain.

Before leading the Joint Staff, Sylvia commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025. He also previously served as the vice director for the J5. His official biography is no longer online. The Joint Staff spokesperson sent a statement thanking Sylvia and his family for 32 years of distinguished service. They wished him and his family the best.

Sylvia is the latest in a series of high-ranking departures under Hegseth. Nearly two dozen generals, admirals, and other leaders have been fired, forced to retire, or have otherwise left in recent months. The Pentagon has rarely explained these moves publicly. This includes the civilian secretaries of the Army and Navy as well as top uniformed officers.

Last month, Hegseth ordered a 20% reduction in top military officer positions by January 1, 2027. There are currently roughly 800 flag and general officer positions. He described the cuts as accountability to junior officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., criticized the changes as a purge. Kelly said the secretary is removing a generation of great leaders, a move that will take years to reverse.