Pentagon Calls Unusual Gathering of About 800 Senior Officers at Quantico Next Week

Overview

• The Pentagon confirmed Secretary Pete Hegseth will address senior leaders next week, with no agenda released for the Tuesday, Sept. 30 meeting at the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia.
• Multiple officials also confirmed the convocation to Reuters, and notifications referenced roughly 800 generals and admirals though the final attendance is unclear.
• In a message to congressional oversight committees, the department said Hegseth will outline his intentions for the force, including guidance on new military fitness standards and other areas.
• Senior officers quoted in reporting describe the in-person scale as unusual and express concern about concentrating top leadership in one place despite secure remote communications.
• The event comes during Hegseth’s broader shake-up that includes reducing four-star billets by about 20% and dismissing several high-ranking officers, while President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have downplayed the controversy.