Hegseth Summons 800 Leaders to Quantico Tuesday

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered roughly 800 U.S. generals and admirals and their top enlisted advisers — specifically brigadier general (or equivalent) and above in command positions — to assemble at Marine Corps Base Quantico next Tuesday for an unscheduled meeting, a directive the Pentagon confirmed but has not explained. The notice, which reportedly excludes many staff officers, requires some commanders serving overseas and in conflict zones to travel to Washington and has left senior leaders confused and alarmed. Officials warned concentrating so many top commanders in one place could create operational and security risks, and critics say the gathering follows Hegseth’s recent sweeping personnel moves, including firing more than a dozen senior leaders and ordering cuts of about 20% of four-star officers with broader reductions across flag and general ranks. The summons is extraordinary because such large-scale in-person convocations are normally planned months in advance, and the lack of an agenda has fueled speculation that it could be part of a major reorganization or purge. The timing — just before a possible government shutdown — and the short notice have heightened concern among military and congressional observers.