Who is General Sylvia ?

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Lieutenant General Brett G. Background Sylvia, the Pentagon's top military planner, for alleged severe misconduct including leaking classified information related to the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war.

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Quick facts

Born: Not public
Known for: Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff; Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Status: Fired by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for alleged severe misconduct

Background

Sylvia served on the Joint Staff as the Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, known in military jargon as the J-5, a senior role responsible for long-term strategic planning, for 11 months. The J-5 director and their staff generate and coordinate military plans for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president.

He is a former commander of the 101st Airborne Division with multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, and earned a Bronze Star for Valor.

Background Sylvia is a graduate of the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management, and holds a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri - Rolla and a Master of Military Arts from the School of Advanced Military Studies.

Why he is in the news

Defense Secretary Hegseth fired Sylvia for what the Pentagon described as severe misconduct. "Sylvia failed three polygraphs which questioned him about leaking classified information," a Pentagon official said.

The investigation into Sylvia remains ongoing and has been referred to the Department of Justice for further action.

The Atlantic first reported Sylvia's ouster, citing sources who said Hegseth had lost confidence in the three-star general amid tensions with Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby.

Sylvia's removal is the latest in a broader turnover of senior military leadership under Hegseth, with nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other senior leaders fired, pushed out or otherwise departing during his tenure. There is no immediate replacement for Sylvia.

His military record

His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, five Legion of Merits, six Bronze Star Medals (one with Valor), Purple Heart, three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, and an Army Commendation Medal with Valor.

The story around any 3-star general being fired raises big questions about how power moves at the top of an institution.