The United States has removed Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, a senior military officer responsible for strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff, in the latest shake-up of the country’s military leadership under Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Sylvia’s removal was reported on October 28 and confirmed by multiple media outlets on Thursday, October 29. He served as director of strategy, plans and policy, commonly known within the Pentagon as the J5, a position involved in coordinating military planning and advising senior defence leadership.
The circumstances surrounding his dismissal have drawn attention after US media reported allegations that Sylvia improperly disclosed classified information relating to the war involving Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. A Pentagon official told CBS News that the case had been referred to the US Department of Justice for possible further action.
However, the allegations have not been publicly substantiated with evidence, and reports indicate that some Pentagon sources disputed aspects of the accusations. Sylvia’s removal should therefore not be interpreted as proof that he committed an offence.
The Joint Staff initially issued a statement thanking Sylvia and his family for his 32 years of military service and wishing them well in their next chapter. The office subsequently withdrew the statement, saying it would not comment further because of the ongoing personnel process.
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Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell later said the department had taken personnel action to protect sensitive information following a review by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. He added that the matter had been referred to the Justice Department, but declined to provide further details while the investigation remained ongoing.
Sylvia’s departure is the latest in a series of high-profile changes among senior US military officers since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025. Hegseth has defended the changes as part of an effort to reshape military leadership, improve accountability and align the armed forces with the administration’s priorities.
The defence secretary has also announced plans to reduce the number of senior military positions. In September, he said the administration was targeting a 20 per cent reduction in generals and admirals, describing the move as necessary accountability. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the scale of the departures and their potential implications for military leadership and institutional stability.
Sylvia previously commanded the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division and held other senior military positions, including a previous role within the Joint Staff’s strategy directorate. His removal comes as Trump considers possible renewed military action against Iran, although the Pentagon has not publicly established a direct connection between the personnel decision and any planned operation.
No successor had been publicly announced at the time of reporting. The Justice Department’s next steps, as well as any further official explanation for Sylvia’s dismissal, remain unclear.