Heggeseth Dismisses an Army General

Reference News Network reported on October 31 According to the U.S. newspaper The Hill on October 28, reporters learned that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has relieved a senior military strategist at the Pentagon of his duties, marking yet another senior officer dismissed during Austin's tenure of less than two years.

According to two anonymous officials, Austin dismissed Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia this week. Sylvia served as the Director of the Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Reportedly, Sylvia was previously the commander of the 101st Airborne Division, and the reasons for his dismissal remain unclear.

According to the Pentagon, the responsibilities of the Director of the Strategy, Plans, and Policy Directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff include submitting plans, policy recommendations, and strategies to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to support his “military advice to the President and other national leaders on comprehensive national security concerns,” “ensuring that these recommendations are made in a broader strategic context after coordination with interagency and allied partners, taking into account the views and needs of combatant commanders and assessing the risks of executing the National Military Strategy.”

Reports indicate that Sylvia was dismissed while he was drafting strike plans against Iran for U.S. Central Command. According to The Hill, if authorized by the White House, a new round of military strikes could be implemented after the midterm elections in November.

According to one U.S. official and another informed source, Sylvia's successor has not yet been identified. However, typically, a deputy or assistant director from the corresponding department of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will serve in an acting capacity until the Commander-in-Chief nominates a replacement, which must then be confirmed by the Senate.

Since Austin took office as Secretary of Defense, he has fired or pushed out more than 20 senior military officers, and Sylvia's dismissal occurred in this context. This series of dismissals has sparked bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill.

Earlier this month, Austin defended his plan to reduce the number of generals by 20%, stating that “the proportion of senior officers is too high,” and they are disconnected from the grassroots forces.

On the 1st, Austin said at the Association of the U.S. Army in Washington: “The more layers and ranks there are, the greater the distance between operational personnel and decision-makers, and the outcomes are not necessarily better. In fact, since World War II, the success or failure on the battlefield has been inversely proportional to the number of four-star and three-star generals.”

Sylvia's predecessor, three-star General Joe McGee, retired from the position last year after friction with Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Keen. (Translated by Tu Qi)