Defense Secretary Hegseth Summons Hundreds US Military Leaders Quantico Amid Leadership Overhaul

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered a rare and highly unusual gathering of approximately 800 top U.S. military generals and admirals from around the world to convene at a Marine Corps base in Virginia next week, with no public explanation provided for the meeting. This directive has caused confusion and concern among military leadership, as the abrupt summons disrupts detailed schedules and follows recent significant leadership shake-ups, including the firing of several top generals and admirals and plans to cut 20% of four-star generals and additional reductions across general and flag officer ranks. The meeting coincides with broader shifts in U.S. military and national security policy under President Donald Trump's administration, including renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War and restructuring efforts aimed at streamlining the military hierarchy. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed Hegseth will address senior military leaders but declined to provide details on the agenda. This assembly involves commanders responsible for thousands of troops across diverse global theaters, raising speculation about potential major strategic or organizational changes. The unprecedented scale and secrecy of this meeting have led to widespread uncertainty within the military and among observers regarding its purpose and implications.