US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, a senior military strategist at the Pentagon, from his post on the Joint Staff, The Hill reported on Wednesday.
Hegseth fired Sylvia, who headed the Joint Staff's Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy, known as the J-5, this week, the news outlet reported, citing two US officials familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues.
The reason for Sylvia’s removal was not immediately clear.
“The Chairman (of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine), the Joint Staff and the Joint Force extend our deepest gratitude to Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia and his family for their 32 years of distinguished service to our nation,” a spokesperson for the Joint Staff told The Hill.
“We wish him and his family the best as they graduate to new opportunities and the next chapters of their lives.”
It was unclear who would succeed him, according to The Hill.
Sylvia’s removal comes amid heightened attention to US military planning related to Iran.
Local media previously reported that the US Central Command had developed plans for potential strikes against Iran that could be carried out after the November midterm elections, subject to authorisation from the White House.
Sylvia’s removal marks another senior military personnel change under Hegseth, who took over as defence secretary in January 2025.
