Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia’s removal from the Joint Staff’s J-5 directorate came as diplomats told AP President Donald Trump had not decided whether to order renewed Iran action after the Nov. 3 election.
On Thursday, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said an Air Force Office of Special Investigations inquiry preceded a personnel action taken “to protect sensitive information.” Parnell said the matter, along with others, was referred to the Justice Department (DOJ) for potential further legal action. His post did not name Sylvia or say what the inquiry examined.
A defense official told the Associated Press (AP) that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Sylvia on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from his post as director of the Joint Staff’s Strategy, Plans and Policy directorate, known as J-5. AP and Reuters separately reported allegations by Pentagon officials that Sylvia shared classified information; their reports did not establish that the allegations had been proven.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff says J-5 gives its chairman recommendations on strategy, planning and policy. A Pentagon official told AP Sylvia was not a central planner for the Iran conflict, which the official said was the responsibility of U.S. Central Command. AP reported no immediate replacement had been named; EconoTimes previously covered Sylvia’s removal and the vacant J-5 post.
The Joint Staff initially thanked Sylvia for 32 years of service, then withdrew its statement the following day. A spokesperson said it “did not appropriately reflect the full circumstances.” AP reported that Sylvia’s predecessor, Army Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire in October 2025, making Sylvia the second J-5 director removed under Hegseth.
Two diplomats told AP that U.S. officials had asked allies and countries in the region to prepare for possible further military action against Iran after the Nov. 3 midterms and for a potential Iranian response. AP also reported the United States had not struck Iran since early September. The diplomats said Trump had made no final decision on possible action after the election.
