Three Polygraph Failures Trigger J5 Firing

Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia failed three polygraph tests concerning the sharing of classified information with the press, a Pentagon official said late Wednesday. The Defense Department has now fired Sylvia from his role as the head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This post, known in military circles as the J5, is the second general to be removed from that specific seat under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire in October 2025.

The decision to remove Sylvia comes as President Donald Trump weighs renewed strikes on Iran. According to an anonymous Pentagon official, who spoke to discuss sensitive personnel matters, Sylvia was accused of misconduct for leaking classified information related to the ongoing conflict. The case has been referred to the Department of Justice. A spokesperson for the Joint Staff stated that the Chairman, the Joint Staff, and the Joint Force extend their deepest gratitude to Sylvia and his family for their 32 years of distinguished service. They added that they wish him and his family the best.

Sylvia’s responsibilities included generating and coordinating military plans with both the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president. The timing of his departure aligns with reports that U.S. officials have advised several Middle East countries and regional allies to prepare for potential new operations. The president has vowed to finish the job in Iran after launching the war with Israel eight months ago. He indicated that new strikes are an option following the midterm elections scheduled for next week.

Military assets are already moving into the region in anticipation of these possibilities. A third U.S. aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are en route. Sylvia served as the commander of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, until May 2025. He also previously held the position of vice director for the J5 before his removal from the top post. His official biography has been taken offline following the announcement.

Sylvia is the latest in a series of nearly two dozen generals, admirals, and other military leaders to depart under Hegseth’s tenure. These departures include firings and forced retirements of civilian secretaries of the Army and Navy, as well as top uniformed officers for the military services. The Pentagon has rarely explained these moves publicly. Hegseth ordered the military to double cuts to the overall number of top officers, targeting a 20 percent decrease by January 1, 2027. There are currently roughly 800 flag and general officer positions.

During a speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, Hegseth described the reduction as accountability and long overdue. He told junior officers and enlisted leaders that the changes were necessary. Some members of Congress have criticized the cuts to the ranks of generals, calling them a purge that will take years to rebuild. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., a former Navy combat pilot, said last month that Hegseth has a deep-seated grievance about leadership in the military. Kelly argued that Hegseth is purging a generation of great leaders and that it will take a generation to recover from the loss.

No replacement for Sylvia has been named, according to The Associated Press. The firing was initially reported by The Atlantic. The J5 director and staff are typically responsible for coordinating military plans with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the president. The removal leaves the key planning post empty while the Pentagon navigates the immediate strategic environment.