Washington (USA), Oct. 29 (LaPresse) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon’s top military planning official, a Defense Department official said on Wednesday. It is the latest in a series of dismissals of generals, coming as President Donald Trump is considering new strikes against Iran in a war that has now been going on for eight months. Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was removed from his position as director of strategy, plans and policy at the Joint Staff. He is the second general to be removed from the post, known in military circles as “J5”, under Hegseth. His predecessor, Lieutenant General Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October. The defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters, said no immediate replacement for Sylvia is planned and no reason was given for his dismissal. The news was first reported by The Atlantic. A Joint Staff spokesperson said: “The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Joint Force extend their deepest gratitude to Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia and his family for 32 years of distinguished service to our nation” and “wish him and his family all the best”. The J5 director and his staff are generally responsible for developing and coordinating military plans with both the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the president. Sylvia’s dismissal comes as Trump has repeatedly hinted at launching new military operations against Iran.
US: Hegseth fires Pentagon’s top military planning official
Washington (USA), Oct. 29 (LaPresse) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon’s top military planning official, a Defense Department official said on Wednesday. It is the latest in a series of dismissals of generals, coming as President Donald Trump is considering new strikes against Iran in a war that has now been going on for eight months. Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was removed from his position as director of strategy, plans and policy at the Joint Staff. He is the second general to be removed from the post, known in military circles as “J5”, under Hegseth. His predecessor, Lieutenant General Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October. The defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters, said no immediate replacement for Sylvia is planned and no reason was given for his dismissal. The news was first reported by The Atlantic. A Joint Staff spokesperson said: “The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Joint Force extend their deepest gratitude to Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia and his family for 32 years of distinguished service to our nation” and “wish him and his family all the best”. The J5 director and his staff are generally responsible for developing and coordinating military plans with both the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the president. Sylvia’s dismissal comes as Trump has repeatedly hinted at launching new military operations against Iran.