Pentagon's top planning officer Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia removed amid looming Iran action

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, who served as director for strategy, plans and policy (J5) for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to a spokesperson for Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine. No official reason was provided for Sylvia's removal, and the Pentagon has not identified a successor.

Sylvia, a former commander of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, was nominated to the J5 role by former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin near the end of the Biden administration. The Joint Chiefs describe the J5 position as responsible for proposing strategies, plans and policy recommendations to support the Chairman’s military advice to the President and other national leaders.

A Joint Staff spokesperson expressed gratitude for Sylvia’s 32 years of service, noting his family’s “new opportunities and the next chapters of their lives.” By Wednesday evening, his biography had been removed from the Joint Chiefs’ website.

The dismissal occurs as U.S. officials have indicated that forces in the Middle East are prepared to launch new operations against Iran within 96 hours of a presidential order. Officials said President Donald Trump appears to be leaning toward major action after the midterm elections, though he has previously suggested no attack would occur before the elections.

Sylvia’s exit follows a series of senior Pentagon departures during Hegseth’s tenure, including the forced retirement of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and the earlier removal of Lt. Gen. Joe McGee, who reportedly pushed back on defense policies.