Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed the Pentagon’s senior military planner, a defense official said Wednesday, marking the latest removal of a top general as President Trump considers whether to resume strikes against Iran in the eight-month-old war.
Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed from his position as director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Sylvia is the second officer to be ousted from the influential position, commonly known within the military as the “J5,” since Hegseth took over at the Pentagon.
His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was compelled to retire in October of last year.
The defense official, who spoke anonymously because the personnel matter is sensitive, said Sylvia has not been replaced and that no explanation 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 for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the president.
Sylvia’s removal comes as Trump has repeatedly suggested that the United States could launch additional military operations against Iran.
Trump has promised to “finish the job” in Iran after beginning the war with Israel eight months ago. He has also said renewed strikes could be considered after next week’s midterm elections.
Two diplomats briefed on the discussions said U.S. officials have warned several Middle Eastern countries and regional allies to prepare for possible military action after Tuesday’s elections—and for the risk that Iran could retaliate against them.
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The diplomats said Trump has not reached a final decision on whether to order new strikes.
Meanwhile, a third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands of additional American troops are headed 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 also served previously as the J5’s vice director.
Sylvia is among nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other senior military officials who have been fired, pressured into retirement or otherwise left their positions during Hegseth’s tenure. In almost every case, the Pentagon has not publicly explained the departures.
The group includes the civilian secretaries of the Army and Navy, along with several senior uniformed leaders from the military services.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond late Wednesday to requests for comment.
Last month, Hegseth said he had directed the military to double planned reductions in the number of senior officers, targeting a 20% cut 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 Sept. 30 at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
Several members of Congress have condemned the cuts as a “purge,” warning that rebuilding the ranks of senior commanders could take years.
“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.”