Overview

• Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth will address senior military leaders early next week at Quantico, with no agenda disclosed.
• The order applies to officers from brigadier general to four‑star in command roles and their senior enlisted advisers, according to people who reviewed the memo.
• Joint Staff officers are reportedly excluded, while deployed commanders are expected to attend, prompting worries about gaps in command coverage.
• Senior officers described the mass call as highly unusual and questioned why secure videoconferencing was not used for sensitive discussions.
• The gathering aligns with Hegseth’s broader consolidation drive, including a proposed 20% cut to general and flag billets and recent dismissals of leaders such as Jeffrey Kruse, Nancy Lacore and Milton Sands.