WASHINGTON, DC — US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, the military’s top strategic planner on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, amid reports that President Donald Trump is considering renewed military strikes against Iran.
According to The Atlantic and a report by The Associated Press (AP), Sylvia was removed from his position as director of strategy, plans and policy, commonly known as the J5, earlier this week. No official reason was publicly provided for the decision, and no immediate replacement was announced.
Sylvia’s removal marks the second time a senior officer has been forced out of the influential J5 position under Hegseth. His predecessor, Lieutenant General Joseph McGee, was forced to retire in October 2025, according to AP.
The development has drawn attention because the J5 office plays a key role in long-term military planning and coordinating strategy between military commanders, Pentagon policymakers and the White House.
A former Joint Chiefs official, quoted by The Atlantic, warned that the timing of Sylvia’s departure was concerning, given the importance of the position during a potential military escalation.
“Now is not the time when you’d want to lose the J5,” the former official said, according to the publication.
Decorated Combat Veteran Removed
Sylvia is a decorated combat veteran who served as commander of the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division before taking up his Joint Staff position.
His military career included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and his decorations include the Purple Heart and multiple Bronze Star Medals, according to his official military biography.
The Joint Staff acknowledged Sylvia’s departure in a statement expressing gratitude for his 32 years of military service and wishing him and his family well in their next chapter. The statement did not disclose the reason for his removal.
Removal Comes Amid Iran Tensions
Sylvia’s departure comes as the Trump administration weighs possible renewed military action against Iran, according to AP.
The report said US officials had urged regional countries to prepare for potential American action and possible Iranian retaliation. However, Trump had not made a final decision on renewed strikes at the time of the report.
The timing has raised questions about the implications of the leadership change for military planning should the administration decide to escalate its confrontation with Tehran.
Latest in Series of Pentagon Leadership Changes
Sylvia’s removal is part of a broader series of changes affecting senior military leadership under Hegseth.
According to The Atlantic, numerous senior officers have departed or been removed since Hegseth took charge of the Pentagon, with several departures attracting scrutiny over the administration’s approach to military leadership and personnel decisions.
The Pentagon has not publicly explained Sylvia’s removal, leaving questions about the circumstances surrounding the decision and who will take over the strategic planning role.
For now, the departure places renewed attention on the Pentagon’s senior leadership at a time of heightened uncertainty over the administration’s next steps towards Iran.
