Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia retires after removal from Pentagon Joint Staff post

Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, who served as the Joint Staff's Director for Strategy, Plans & Policy (J-5), was removed from his senior Pentagon post earlier this week and subsequently retired, ABC News reported.

Sylvia's removal was reportedly due to a lack of confidence, according to sources familiar with the situation. It remains unclear whether the decision was made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

During his 32 years of military service, Sylvia held an important role in long-term strategic planning on the Joint Staff. His removal adds to a series of senior military officers being sidelined under Secretary Hegseth's tenure.

The Joint Staff expressed gratitude for Sylvia's distinguished service and wished him well in his future endeavors. Following his departure, the Joint Staff website now lists Vice Director Maj. Gen. Mark H. Slocum as the sole name in the J-5 directorate.

The J-5 directorate is regarded as one of the most critical offices within the Joint Staff, alongside the J-3 Operations directorate responsible for current military operations.