Overview

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered hundreds of generals and admirals to assemble Tuesday at Marine Corps Base Quantico, with the Pentagon confirming he will address senior leaders but declining to release a detailed agenda.
• All officers at brigadier general or rear admiral rank and above — roughly 800 worldwide — were told to attend on short notice, a scale that current and former officials describe as unusual or unprecedented.
• President Donald Trump confirmed he will attend and speak, triggering a higher security posture with the Secret Service taking charge of the event’s protection, according to planning documents reported by multiple outlets.
• Hegseth is expected to emphasize a “warrior ethos” and new standards, and officials say video of the event will be recorded for later release, with some reports indicating the remarks will be live streamed.
• Outside groups including Democracy Forward and the ACLU have sought documents and oversight, citing concerns over purpose, cost, readiness impacts and the timing near a potential government shutdown.