Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered an unprecedented, short-notice meeting of hundreds of U.S. generals and admirals at a Marine Corps base in Virginia next week, leaving many in the military and political circles puzzled. The directive comes amid the Trump administration’s firing of numerous senior leaders this year.
According to more than a dozen sources familiar with the matter, the unusual order was issued earlier this week to nearly all of the military’s top commanders worldwide. The timing coincides with concerns over a potential government shutdown and follows Hegseth’s increasingly political moves, which critics say risk undermining the Defense Department’s long-standing nonpartisan role.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed Thursday that Hegseth “will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week,” though he provided no further details. Parnell, a senior adviser to the defense secretary, indicated no security concerns about The Washington Post reporting on the meeting, scheduled for Tuesday in Quantico, Virginia.
It remains unclear whether President Donald Trump will attend the gathering or if Hegseth briefed him in advance. Speaking from the Oval Office Thursday, Trump said he would participate “if they want me.”
Despite the size and secrecy of the meeting, both Trump and Vice President JD Vance minimized its significance. Trump asked, “Why is that such a big deal?” Vance, appearing alongside him, called it “not particularly unusual” for generals to meet with Hegseth. “I think it’s odd that you guys have made it into such a big story,” he said.
The order reportedly applies to all senior officers with the rank of brigadier general or higher—or the Navy equivalent—serving in command positions, along with their top enlisted advisers. Currently, there are roughly 800 generals and admirals stationed across the U.S. and abroad. Each commander typically travels with their senior enlisted adviser and a few aides, meaning the gathering could involve over 1,000 personnel.
Top commanders in conflict zones, as well as senior leaders across Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, are expected to attend. Officers in staff roles are exempt.
“All general officers in command in grade O-7 through O-10 and their general officer senior enlisted advisers are directed to attend within operational constraints,” according to one source who reviewed a copy of the order.
Several defense officials expressed concern about the abrupt nature of the meeting. “People are very concerned. They have no idea what it means,” one said. Some worry that requiring overseas commanders to travel could temporarily weaken operational commands.
The Pentagon has secure videoconferencing technology that allows leaders to discuss sensitive issues remotely, making the mass in-person meeting unusual. “You don’t call GOFOs leading their people and the global force into an auditorium outside D.C. and not tell them why or what the topic is,” one official said, using the abbreviation for general or flag officer.
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers from both parties were reportedly surprised by the order. Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees had not immediately commented.
Hegseth’s directive follows a series of major personnel changes at the Pentagon, including efforts to cut the number of generals by 20 percent through consolidations, dismissals of senior officials without stated cause, and a controversial proposal to rebrand the Defense Department as the Department of War.
The announcement sparked confusion within the Pentagon, with officials trying to determine who must attend and whether the gathering signals upcoming firings. Observers note that the meeting is unlikely to be about unveiling a new defense strategy, consolidating commands, or discussing military standards.
The order also aligns with Hegseth’s push to influence the promotion of senior officers. Officials reported that even at one- and two-star levels, relationships and social media activity are being scrutinized to decide who advances, creating unease among rising leaders.
Meanwhile, the administration is preparing a new national defense strategy emphasizing homeland defense, a shift from previous priorities that identified China as the top security threat. Some officials expect the meeting to touch on this initiative.
Earlier efforts by Hegseth to reduce approximately 100 generals and admirals—aiming for at least a 20 percent cut among four-star officers and National Guard generals—have generated concern. Last month, he dismissed Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, and Rear Adm. Milton Sands without explanation.
The personnel changes continue a broader pattern under the Trump administration, which has removed leaders across national security agencies, including Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Adm. Linda Fagan, and Gen. James Slife. Notably, many dismissed officials have been women.
Gen. David Allvin, Air Force chief of staff, announced last month he will retire in November after being asked to step down, with no replacement yet named.
