Hegseth orders rare in-person meeting of senior US military leaders

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has ordered hundreds of senior U.S. military leaders stationed worldwide to gather in Quantico, Virginia, next week, the Washington Post reported Sept. 25.

The meeting is highly unusual as such large gatherings usually occur over secure video teleconference, the outlet reported. People familiar with the order told the Post they could not recall any other defense secretary summoning a large group of generals and admirals for an in-person assembly. 

Commanders from conflict zones and senior officers stationed in Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region are reportedly among those directed to attend. The Post said the mandate does not extend to top officers in staff positions.

“People are very concerned. They have no idea what it means,” one anonymous source told the Post.

The order follows Hegseth’s push to shrink the military. On May 5, he issued an order to cut about 100 generals and admirals, along with at least a 20% cut among four-star officers and a 10% reduction across all general and flag officers. In a video posted on X May 5, he said the order’s goal was “maximizing strategic readiness and operational effectiveness by making prudent reductions.” 

FOX News reported that the timing also coincides with the administration’s new national defense strategy, which shifts focus from the Indo-Pacific to homeland defense.