WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed the Pentagon’s top military strategy officer as the White House weighs potential renewed strikes against Iran, defense officials said Wednesday.
Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was dismissed from his role as director for strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, widely known inside the military as the J5. Following his removal, Sylvia retired from the military after 32 years of service, according to reporting from ABC News and the Associated Press.
A spokesperson for the Joint Staff expressed gratitude to Sylvia and his family for his decades of service, wishing them well in future endeavors. Sylvia’s biography was removed from the official Joint Staff website Wednesday evening, leaving Vice Director Maj. Gen. Mark H. Slocum listed in the planning directorate.
Departure Amid Middle East Preparations
Sylvia’s sudden exit comes as President Donald Trump evaluates options for expanding operations against Tehran in a conflict that began eight months ago. Diplomats and defense officials told the Associated Press and the New York Post that regional partners across the Middle East have been warned to prepare for potential U.S. military strikes after next week’s midterm elections, as well as possible retaliation from Iran.
Two officials told CNN earlier in the week that forces in the region could initiate major military strikes within 96 hours of an order from Trump, though officials noted the president has made no final decision and has historically reversed course at late stages. A third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands of additional personnel are currently moving toward the region.
Diplomatic channels have shown conflicting signals. The Wall Street Journal reported that Vice President JD Vance reached out to an Iranian hard-liner by letter to discuss reviving negotiations. Trump later downplayed the effort, noting that Tehran requested humanitarian aid and that he permitted Vance to proceed. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated publicly on Wednesday that his government remains engaged with intermediaries regarding a proposed plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore commercial shipping if hostilities conclude.
Wider Military Command Upheaval
Sylvia is the second officer to be pushed out of the J5 position under Hegseth’s leadership. His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced into retirement in October 2025. Sylvia, who previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, had served in the planning post for 11 months after receiving a nomination late in the Biden administration.
The move marks the latest departure in a sweeping reduction of senior military leadership overseen by Hegseth, who announced a directive to reduce the roughly 800 flag and general officer positions by 20 percent by Jan. 1, 2027.
“I call it accountability and long overdue,” Hegseth told junior officers and enlisted personnel in September.
The removals have sparked concern on Capitol Hill. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., criticized the dismissals last month, arguing that cutting experienced commanders harms national defense preparedness.
The Pentagon did not publicly provide a justification for Sylvia’s removal, and authorities have not yet announced a permanent successor to direct the strategic planning office.
