Hegseth Removes Top Pentagon Planner as Iran Strike Debate Intensifies

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed the Pentagon’s senior military planner, a move that leaves the office empty while the White House weighs new strikes against Iran. The change affects the chain of command responsible for coordinating large-scale war plans with the president and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed as the director of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a role known in military circles as the J5. A defense official confirmed the firing on Wednesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters and stated that no reason for the dismissal had been given.

Sylvia is the second general to be ousted from the J5 post during Hegseth’s tenure. His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire in October of last year. The defense official said there is no immediate replacement for Sylvia.

The Joint Staff spokesperson issued a brief statement thanking Sylvia and his family for 32 years of service. The statement noted that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Joint Staff, and the Joint Force wish them the best.

The removal occurs as President Donald Trump considers renewed military operations against Iran. The war began eight months ago with an Israeli-led campaign. Trump has publicly stated he wants to finish the job in Iran and has said new strikes are an option following the midterm elections scheduled for next week.

Two diplomats briefed on the matter said U.S. officials told several Middle East countries and regional allies to prepare for potential renewed military action after Tuesday’s elections. The officials also warned that Iran might attempt to retaliate against those countries. The diplomats added that Trump has not made a final decision on launching new strikes.

Military assets are shifting toward the region in anticipation of possible conflict. A third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are currently en route to the area.

Before his assignment to the Joint Staff, Sylvia served as commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025. He also previously held the position of vice director for the J5. His official biography has been taken offline from the Pentagon website.

Sylvia is part of a wave of departures under Hegseth. Nearly two dozen generals, admirals, and other military leaders have been fired, forced to retire, or have otherwise left their posts. This group includes the civilian secretaries of the Army and Navy. The Pentagon has not publicly explained most of these separations.

Hegseth ordered a 20% reduction in the number of top officers by January 1, 2027, last month. There are currently roughly 800 flag and general officer positions. Hegseth called the cuts accountability and long overdue during a speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., criticized the reductions last month. Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot, described the process as a purge that will take years to recover from. He stated that Hegseth holds a deep-seated grievance about military leadership and is removing a generation of leaders.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment late Wednesday.