Pentagon J5 chief fired after failing three polygraphs on Iran leak

Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia failed three polygraph tests regarding the sharing of classified information with the press, according to a Pentagon official speaking late Wednesday night. The official said the case has been referred to the Department of Justice after Sylvia was accused of leaking sensitive details related to the war in Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Sylvia from his post as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The position, known in military circles as the J5, was left vacant immediately. Sylvia is the second general to be ousted from this specific role under Hegseth. His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire in October of last year.

The removal occurs while President Donald Trump evaluates the possibility of launching renewed military strikes against Iran. The president has publicly vowed to finish the job in Iran following the initial launch of the war with Israel eight months ago. He indicated that new strikes are an option following the midterm elections scheduled for next Tuesday. U.S. officials have briefed several Middle East countries and regional allies on the timing of the elections and the potential for Iranian retaliation. A third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are currently moving into the region.

Sylvia’s official biography was taken offline from the Pentagon website shortly after the news of his dismissal broke. Before taking the J5 role, he served as the commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He held that position until May 2025. He also previously served as the vice director for the J5. His biography noted a 32-year career in the military.

A spokesperson for the Joint Staff issued a brief statement thanking Sylvia and his family for their service. The statement described the service as distinguished and extended gratitude on behalf of the Chairman, the Joint Staff, and the Joint Force. It wished Sylvia and his family the best as he departs the post.

The J5 director is typically responsible for generating and coordinating military plans with both the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president. With the planning post now empty, the Pentagon has not named a replacement. The Associated Press confirmed that no successor has been appointed as of late Wednesday.

Sylvia’s departure is part of a wider pattern of senior military leadership changes. Nearly two dozen generals, admirals, and other leaders have been fired, forced to retire, or have otherwise departed under Hegseth’s tenure. These departures include the civilian secretaries of the Army and Navy as well as top uniformed officers for the military services. The Pentagon has rarely provided public explanations for these personnel moves.

Last month, Hegseth ordered the military to double cuts to the overall number of top officers. The goal is a 20% decrease in flag and general officer positions by January 1, 2027. There are currently roughly 800 such positions in the armed forces. Hegseth told junior officers and enlisted leaders at the Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30 that he calls the cuts accountability and long overdue.

Critics in Congress have questioned the scale of the reductions. Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona and a former Navy combat pilot, described the cuts as a purge. He stated last month that Hegseth has a deep-seated grievance about military leadership. Kelly said the purge is removing a generation of great leaders and that it will take a generation to recover from the loss.

The firing was first reported by The Atlantic. A Pentagon official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters confirmed the details of the polygraph failures and the misconduct allegations to CBS News. The official did not specify which press outlets received the leaked classified information.