Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon’s top military planner, a defence official said on Wednesday (October 29, 2026), the latest in a series of generals to be ousted and one that comes even as President Donald Trump is weighing renewed strikes on Iran in the eight-month-long war.
The move was reported earlier by The Atlantic . Earlier reporting noted: Sylvia, who directed strategy, plans and policy for the Joint Staff, was ousted without a public explanation, The Atlantic reported . Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia was removed as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hegseth. His predecessor, Lt Gen Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October. Sylvia and no reason has been given for the firing. Typically, the J5 director and their staff are responsible for generating and coordinating military plans with both the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the President. Mr. Sylvia’s firing comes as Mr. Trump has repeatedly floated starting new military operations against Iran. Sylvia was removed from the Joint Chiefs of Staff even as President Donald Trump mulls renewed strikes against Iran . The Pentagon planner headed the Joint Staff’s J5 directorate. They help coordinate military strategy and policy recommendations for senior defense officials and the White House. This person would serve as a critical link between the operational force, the department policy, and the White House.”
He is the second general to be ousted from the post, known in military circles as the “J5”, under Mr. The defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters, said there is no immediate replacement for Mr. A spokesperson for the Joint Staff 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 they “wish him and his family the best. Earlier reporting noted: Speaking to The Atlantic, the former official said “Now is not the time when you’d want to lose the J5.
Earlier reporting noted: Hegseth fires top Pentagon planner as Trump mulls renewed Iran strikes: Report Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly fired Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, a senior military strategist.
U.S. officials have told several West Asian countries and regional allies to be prepared for potential renewed military action after Tuesday’s (November 3) elections as well as for the possibility that Iran will attempt to retaliate against them, two diplomats briefed on the matter said. Before arriving at the Joint Staff, Sylvia served as the commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025, according to his official biography, which has now been taken offline. Mr. They say Mr. Trump has not made a final decision on new strikes.
Trump has vowed to “finish the job” in Iran after launching the war with Israel eight months ago and said new strikes are an option after the midterm elections next week.
He also previously served as the vice director for the J5.
