Hegseth ousts Pentagon’s chief planner

Thursday, October 29, 2026

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pushed out the Pentagon's top planning officer as President Donald Trump weighs new strikes against Iran, a source familiar with the situation tells CNN. Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, who held the role of director for strategy, plans and policy, also known as J5, for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is abruptly leaving the position, a spokesman for Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed.

Posted by REDIAL at 01:26 AM | 7 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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No reason was given for Sylvia's dismissal, and it's unclear who will take over his responsibilities. CNN has reached out to Hegseth's office for comment. His dismissal is the latest in a long line of senior officers who have left the Pentagon under the Trump administration and since Hegseth assumed the role, enacting significant cuts to the top of military ranks.

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... US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pushed out the Pentagon's top planning officer as President Donald Trump weighs new strikes against Iran ...

You cannot allow longer-term planning to occur when the cult leader only wants short-term transactions.

Planning does not seem to fit in with the "what do I get out of this now" that Pres Trump seems to have.

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-10-29 02:36 AM | Reply

Luther Wright & The Wrongs - In the Flesh? (2001)
www.youtube.com

From an enjoyable cover of the Pink Floyd album.

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-10-29 02:40 AM | Reply

Oh....this will work out well.

#3 | Posted by Nixon at 2026-10-29 07:42 AM | Reply

They must be planning something so awful and/or stupid that General Sylvia felt compelled to object.

#4 | Posted by qcp at 2026-10-29 08:58 AM | Reply

Definitely all 2nd string now.

#5 | Posted by fresno500 at 2026-10-29 01:53 PM | Reply

All that matters is they'll remain absolutely 100% loyal to Trump.

Regardless.

#6 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-10-29 02:26 PM | Reply

They appear to be getting ready for post-Midterm loss of the House actions against Iran; actions that professional military leaders, non-Trump sycophants, don't approve of.

Vlad is truly proud of Agent Krasnov. Xi and Kim are ecstatic.

#7 | Posted by Corky at 2026-10-29 02:41 PM | Reply