Why did Pete Hegseth summon every US general and admiral to virginia? Inside the unprecedented military shake-up

Hundreds of U.S. generals and admirals from across the globe have been ordered to assemble in Virginia next week for a high-level meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, U.S. officials confirmed. The sudden summons, scheduled for Tuesday at Marine Corps Base Quantico, has sparked confusion inside the Pentagon, as even senior officers are unclear about its purpose.

Multiple officials said the gathering appeared abruptly on calendars, with no official agenda provided. Theories circulating among the ranks range from a readiness review to a major policy briefing — and even speculation about sweeping dismissals. One officer jokingly referred to it as “the general squid games,” underscoring the unease.

Security concerns have also been raised about concentrating so many top commanders in one place. “Unless there’s a major new campaign or structural overhaul to announce, I can’t see a good reason for this,” one congressional aide told CNN.

The Pentagon confirmed that Hegseth will address senior leaders but declined to offer details. It’s also unclear whether the order applies to all general and flag officers — those holding one star and above — or only to select commanders.

The unusual directive comes amid a turbulent year for military leadership. Since January, the Trump administration has removed a string of high-profile generals and admirals, often without clear explanations. Among those dismissed are former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown; Adm. Lisa Franchetti, ex-Chief of Naval Operations; Adm. Linda Fagan, the Coast Guard’s former Commandant; Gen. James Slife, former Air Force vice chief; Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, ex-head of the Defense Intelligence Agency; Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, former chief of Navy Reserve; and Rear Adm. Milton Sands, who previously led Naval Special Warfare Command.

Hegseth has been openly critical of much of the senior officer corps. In podcast appearances before becoming defense secretary, he accused a third of top commanders of being “actively complicit” in politicizing the military. In another, he charged that senior leaders were “playing by the wrong rules” to satisfy “ideologues in Washington.”

The meeting, reported by The Washington Post, adds to the uncertainty surrounding U.S. defense leadership at a time when the Pentagon is already grappling with sweeping changes and internal shakeups.

FAQ Section

Q1: Why is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calling generals and admirals to Virginia?
A1: The Pentagon hasn’t released details, but officials suggest it could involve readiness reviews, leadership changes, or new defense policies.

Q2: How unusual is it for all generals and admirals to be summoned at once?
A2: Extremely rare. Security experts note that concentrating so many top commanders in one place is virtually unprecedented in modern U.S. history.

Q3: Who has Pete Hegseth criticized among senior military leaders?
A3: Before becoming defense secretary, Hegseth accused a third of top officers of politicizing the military and playing by “the wrong rules.”

Q4: Which generals and admirals have already been removed this year?
A4: High-profile dismissals include Gen. CQ Brown, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Adm. Linda Fagan, and Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, among others.

Q5: When and where is the meeting happening?
A5: It’s scheduled for Tuesday at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.