Who is Brett Sylvia, the Pentagon general accused of leaking classified information?

A senior general has reportedly been fired by the Pentagon. The general, identified as Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, was removed from his position as director of Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5) on the Pentagon’s Joint Staff following allegations that he leaked classified information to the media. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly decided to remove Sylvia from his position after an inquiry that allegedly found that he had violated security protocols involving sensitive information related to the wars in Iran and Ukraine. The case has also been referred to the Justice Department for further investigation.

Sylvia was removed after serving 11 months in the key role, which oversees long-term military strategy and planning. A Pentagon official told ABC News that he was dismissed for “severe misconduct” after senior officials lost confidence in him. Reports alleged that Sylvia leaked sensitive information to journalists and failed three polygraph tests concerning disclosures of classified information to the media.

“Due to the Pentagon’s media policy requiring journalists to have escorts in the building, Sylvia began meeting with journalists outside of the Pentagon in order to leak classified information,” a Pentagon source reportedly told The Hill.


Sylvia’s departure comes amid broader changes to the Pentagon’s senior leadership under Hegseth. Several officials have reportedly been placed on administrative leave or dismissed amid internal disputes and investigations.

Those affected include Dan Caldwell, a former senior adviser to Hegseth; Darin Selnick, Hegseth’s deputy chief of staff; and Colin Carroll, the former chief of staff to Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg.

Who is Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia?

As per The Atlantic, Sylvia has had an extensive military career spanning more than three decades. He graduated from United States Military Academy, in West Point, in 1994. Before becoming director of the Joint Staff’s J-5 directorate, he served as vice director of the same directorate. He previously commanded the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division, a position he held until May 2025.

During his military service, Sylvia received several awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, in recognition of his service.

As per ABC News, the Joint Staff had earlier expressed gratitude for his service, stating, “The Chairman, the Joint Staff, and the Joint Force extend our deepest gratitude to Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia and his family for their 32 years of distinguished service to our nation.”

However, following the announcement of his removal, the Joint Staff withdrew its earlier statement, indicating that it no longer considered the message appropriate given the circumstances surrounding his departure.

Who will replace Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia?

Sylvia’s removal has left uncertainty over the future leadership of the Joint Staff’s J-5 directorate. As reported by ABC News, the Joint Staff website previously listed him as director but was subsequently updated to display only the name of Vice Director Maj. Gen. Mark H. Slocum. No permanent replacement had been identified in the information available at the time of reporting.