Pentagon dismisses Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia over alleged classified leaks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has terminated Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, the director of the Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, citing severe misconduct. A Department of Defense official told Al Jazeera that Sylvia met with journalists outside the Pentagon to leak classified material concerning the conflict with Iran and the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The official added that Sylvia is under investigation for the leaks and that the case has been referred to the Department of Justice for further action. While Sylvia served as the Defense Department’s chief military planner, the official clarified that he was not a central planner for operations against Iran, a role that rests with U.S. Central Command and its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper.

According to the Pentagon, Sylvia failed three polygraph examinations that questioned him about the alleged disclosures, prompting what the official described as “urgent action” that could not be delayed. No immediate replacement for the J5 position has been named.

Sylvia previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025, and held the vice-director role for the office he later led. His service record includes six Bronze Star Medals, one for valor, and a Purple Heart.

Assistant to the defense secretary for public affairs Sean Parnel posted on X that the Department of Defense has “zero tolerance for the intentional, unauthorized disclosure of classified information,” without naming Sylvia. The dismissal follows earlier actions by Hegseth, who removed three aides last year as part of a broader leak investigation that also involved polygraph testing.