Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered top generals and admirals from around the world to convene on Sept. 30 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, south of Washington, D.C. The urgent directive, issued earlier this week, caught many senior officers by surprise.
Pentagon officials have not disclosed the agenda or whether the meeting will be open to the press.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the gathering, noting that Hegseth—who recently acquired the secondary title of Secretary of War under a Trump administration executive order—will personally address senior leaders.
Lack of Clarity on Purpose
Officers ordered to attend said they were not given guidance on how to prepare. Speculation ranges from the unveiling of a new National Defense Strategy to a potential Pentagon structural overhaul.
The timing, so close to the end of the fiscal year and amid global tensions, has fueled further uncertainty.
Background on Hegseth’s Pentagon Shake-Up
Since taking office, Hegseth has already launched significant reforms and personnel changes:
- May 2025 memo: Ordered a 20% reduction in four-star positions and a 10% cut across all general and flag officer ranks.
- Directed a sweeping review of U.S. military commands and staffs, signaling possible consolidation.
- Replaced several senior leaders, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., Chief of Naval Operations Lisa M. Franchetti, and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James C. “Jim” Slife.
Additionally, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin announced he will retire in November, two years into a term that typically lasts four years. No successor has been nominated.
Comparisons and Precedents
Large gatherings of senior military leaders are not uncommon—the Air Force’s CORONA meetings are held periodically to set future strategies. However, those are typically planned well in advance.
By contrast, Hegseth’s Sept. 30 meeting was announced on short notice, creating logistical challenges for senior officers.
What Comes Next
The Pentagon has provided no details on whether the meeting will produce immediate announcements, nor whether any portion will be public.
With sweeping personnel changes already underway and restructuring directives on the table, military leaders and observers alike are bracing for what Hegseth might unveil.
