Overview

• Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the defense secretary will address senior military leaders early next week without providing details.
• The directive covers officers at brigadier general rank and above in command roles, plus their senior enlisted advisers, encompassing roughly 800 generals and admirals.
• The meeting is expected Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, with commanders from overseas posts told to attend in person.
• Serving and former officials describe the short-notice order as highly unusual and warn it could pose security and readiness risks.
• The summons comes after Hegseth moved to shrink and reshape senior ranks, including a 20% cut to four-star billets, broader reductions across flag officers, and multiple firings of top commanders.