US Defense Secretary Hegseth orders hundreds of generals and admirals to Virginia: What’s behind the urgent meeting?

Hegseth orders hundreds of senior military officers to Virginia for highly unusual meeting

Hundreds of US generals and admirals from around the world have been ordered to assemble in Virginia next week for a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the directive.

The sudden order has surprised even senior military officers, sparking widespread speculation about the purpose of the gathering. The high-level meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia.

One US official told Reuters, “People are scrambling to change their plans and see if they have to attend,” highlighting the logistical challenges posed by the short notice. Pentagon officials have not provided details on the agenda, and even the attending officers reportedly “don’t seem to know what the meeting is about.”

Speculations over the purpose of the Quantico meeting

Sources suggest theories ranging from a group physical fitness test to briefings on the Defense Department’s operations, or even potential mass firings of senior officers, according to CNN. “It’s being referred to as the general squid games,” one official quipped. Concerns have also been raised regarding security due to the high concentration of senior military leaders in one location.

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that Hegseth will be “addressing his senior military leaders early next week,” without providing further information.

It remains unclear whether the order applies to all general and flag officers, those with one star or higher, or only those in specific command or leadership positions.

Context: High-profile firings and defense department shake-ups

The Quantico meeting comes amid a series of high-profile firings under the Trump administration, many executed under Hegseth’s oversight. He also ordered a reduction of at least 20% in the number of four-star generals and admirals.

Officers recently dismissed include former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Adm. Linda Fagan, Gen. James Slife, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, and Rear Adm. Milton Sands.

Before becoming Defense Secretary, Hegseth criticized the current senior military leadership, claiming that a third of general and flag officers were “actively complicit” in what he described as the politicization of the military. He added that senior officers were “playing by all the wrong rules” to cater to “idealogues in Washington, DC.”

Widespread speculation and military concerns

The unprecedented scale and secrecy of the upcoming meeting have raised questions across the US military. A congressional aide told CNN, “Unless Hegseth planned to announce a major new military campaign or a complete overhaul of the military command structure, I can’t imagine a good reason for this.”

Officers are adjusting travel plans and operations to accommodate the unusual gathering, creating logistical and operational challenges. With no official agenda or clear explanation, speculation continues about the potential implications of Hegseth’s directive for the future of the US military’s leadership structure.