Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed hundreds of U.S. military generals and admirals to assemble at a Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, next week. Officials familiar with the matter said the directive was issued on short notice and without a publicly stated reason.
The order applies to all senior officers in command positions ranked O-7 through O-10 (or Navy equivalents) and their top enlisted advisers, including commanders stationed overseas and in conflict zones. Pentagon officials emphasized that the meeting is part of ongoing strategic discussions, though many senior leaders expressed confusion and concern over the unusual scale and timing.
Hegseth’s directive follows a series of administrative changes at the Pentagon, including previous reductions in the number of generals and admirals, high-profile firings, and a rebranding initiative for the department. The meeting is expected to cover topics related to national defense priorities and may address ongoing force restructuring.
