Defense secretary ousts top strategy general in wave of senior firings
Sylvia's removal adds to over two dozen dismissals of senior officers, often without public explanation.
Up First from NPR · Final Days Of Midterm Campaigning, Alaska Senate Race Controversy, Iran War PlansDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ousted Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Joint Chiefs officer who directed long-range strategy and policy work. The move adds to over two dozen dismissals of senior officers since Hegseth took over last year, a pattern that has created disruptions at the senior levels of the military.
Sylvia held a very senior post overseeing long-term planning for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, not the day-to-day planning for any operation against Iran. The Pentagon says it is looking into a leak, but it has shared no specifics.
His ouster came just as the United States and Israel were getting ready for a potential fresh strike on Iran. NPR's reporting finds any attack would happen after the midterm vote.
Questions people ask
What does the strategy, planning, and policy job actually do?
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is the group of the most senior officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and other services. Its strategy and policy staff works on long-term plans and advice for civilian leaders, rather than directing specific battles.
Can a defense secretary fire generals?
Yes. As general background, generals and admirals serve at the pleasure of civilian leadership, so the president and the defense secretary can remove them from their posts. Large scale removals in a short period are unusual, but the authority itself is a normal part of civilian control of the military.