Overview
- Defense officials confirm Pete Hegseth will address top commanders early next week at Marine Corps Base Quantico, with AP citing Tuesday as the target date.
- The directive reportedly covers nearly all commanders at brigadier general rank or naval equivalent in command roles and their senior enlisted advisers, while staff officers are excluded.
- No purpose has been provided, and multiple officials describe the mass summons as highly unusual, with some voicing security and readiness concerns about concentrating so many leaders in one place.
- The White House sought to play down the gathering, with President Trump questioning the fuss and Vice President J. D. Vance calling the attention to it overblown.
- The call-up follows months of disruption under Hegseth, including firings, a plan to cut roughly 20% of top officer billets, and a presidential directive to add the 'Department of War' title, as reports point to a new defense strategy in development.