Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia was removed Oct. 28 from the Joint Staff’s J-5 post, the Associated Press reported, leaving no successor announced for an office that helps shape military advice to U.S. leaders.
The Joint Staff says its J-5 directorate prepares planning and policy options for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, informing his military advice to the president and other national leaders. The Joint Staff first thanked Sylvia, then withdrew its message, saying the earlier statement was incomplete and pointing to an ongoing personnel process. A spokesperson said, “We are withdrawing our earlier statement concerning this personnel matter.” The withdrawal did not specify a reason for his removal.
CBS News reported that an unnamed Pentagon official alleged Sylvia had leaked classified information about the Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars, failed three polygraph tests and had a case referred to the U.S. Department of Justice. The Joint Staff’s withdrawal statement did not confirm those allegations. The Atlantic separately reported that Pentagon officials said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had lost confidence in Sylvia and that Sylvia had clashed with policy chief Elbridge Colby.
Reports also diverged on who authorized the departure: the AP and CBS described Hegseth as having fired Sylvia, while ABC News cited a source who said it was unclear whether Hegseth or Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine ordered it.
The AP reported Sylvia was the second J-5 director to leave under Hegseth. Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, who held the J-5 role before Sylvia, retired under pressure in October 2025. In an account published in August, The Atlantic reported that former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told President Donald Trump in a private meeting that departures among senior leaders were impeding Army transformation. A person familiar with the meeting told the outlet that Trump was surprised by the number of departures and concerned about the cuts. The Atlantic’s account predates Sylvia’s removal.
At a Sept. 30 address, Hegseth said about 10% of generals and admirals had been fired and that he had ordered a further 10% reduction in senior-officer positions. He called the cuts “accountability and long overdue.” The AP reported a target of cutting 20% of roughly 800 general and flag officer positions by Jan. 1, 2027.
Separately, two diplomats briefed on U.S. warnings told the AP that regional allies had been asked to prepare for possible renewed action against Iran after the Nov. 3 midterm elections. They said Trump had not made a final decision on new strikes. The AP’s account did not connect the warnings to Sylvia’s departure.
