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The United States government has called an extraordinary meeting of hundreds of its top military officials at the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia, next Tuesday.
The meeting has been ordered by the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, and will take place in an atmosphere of complete secrecy that has raised concerns both within and outside the U.S. military apparatus.
According to The Washington Post, the summons was issued early this week without providing explanations to the officers, which has sparked speculation in military and political circles.
This is a highly unusual order that includes all brigadier generals and above—or their equivalent in the Navy—deployed in the United States and abroad, as well as their principal advisors. Officers holding staff positions are not included.
“People are very worried. They have no idea what it means”, an anonymous source with direct knowledge of the order told the Post.
An unprecedented meeting
Tuesday's meeting not only breaks with the traditional structures of the Department of War—formerly known as the Department of Defense—but is also, in the words of several analysts, an unprecedented maneuver in the recent history of the U.S.
Although the Secretary of Defense usually holds regular meetings with senior officials, never before has such a large and diverse group of commanders been gathered in person, in the same facility.
The directive applies to over 800 generals and admirals on active duty, although not all are expected to participate physically in Quantico.
Among them are leaders with strategic responsibilities in conflict zones or areas of geopolitical tension such as the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean.
A Pentagon spokesperson, Sean Parnell, confirmed the existence of the meeting, adding that Hegseth "will address his senior military leaders early next week," without providing further details. Even those summoned are unaware of the agenda.
A tense and reformist context
This extraordinary meeting takes place at a time of increasing political and military uncertainty for the U.S.
On one hand, the country is approaching a potential federal government shutdown, expected to occur on October 1 if Congress does not approve a temporary budget.
On the other hand, tensions with Venezuela are intensifying, which Washington accuses of leading a drug trafficking network towards U.S. territory.
In recent days, the U.S. bombed four vessels in the Caribbean, three of which were reportedly Venezuelan.
Additionally, new incursions of Russian drones near Alaska have been reported, suggesting increased activity in the Arctic theater. Meanwhile, the Trump administration's control over the Pentagon has led to a drastic restructuring of the military chain of command.
Pete Hegseth himself, a war veteran and former conservative media analyst, has led this transformation process.
Among his most controversial decisions are:
-Change of the official name of the Department of Defense to "Department of War", as an ideological reaffirmation of the new doctrine.
-Reduction of 20% in the number of high-ranking officials, including four-star generals.
-Firing without cause of multiple military leaders, some of whom have critical responsibilities in intelligence and special forces.
-Restrictions on the press, including the requirement to sign confidentiality agreements to gain access to the Pentagon, thus limiting independent coverage.
According to a source consulted by The Wall Street Journal, only a dozen people within the government would be aware of the true reason for the meeting.
"This is not done without reason," warned a military official on condition of anonymity.
"They are calling the main combat commanders without telling them why."
Internal criticisms and strategic concerns
The measure has generated criticism within the military establishment itself.
Active and retired officers have expressed their bewilderment at the idea of gathering so many operational leaders in one geographical location simultaneously, especially considering that many of them are responsible for sensitive operations.
They assure that this type of concentration not only poses a logistical risk but also a strategic one, as it leaves certain areas unprotected or facilitates potential targeted attacks in case of leaks.
It is also concerning that members of the General Staff are being excluded, which suggests that the approach is more tactical or operational than administrative or political.
"The decision comes after the dismissal of numerous high-ranking leaders by the Trump administration this year," notes The Washington Post, referring to the internal purges that have shaken the Pentagon.
The fact that this meeting is being kept so secretive, and in a context of radical reforms, has fueled all kinds of theories.
From a possible announcement of international intervention to a total restructuring of regional commands, or even an internal display of strength on the eve of significant political decisions.
Secrecy as a Norm
Since Donald Trump's return to the presidency, the operational logic of the Pentagon has shifted towards a more closed, hierarchical, and nationalist model.
The press has become increasingly marginalized, and personnel changes are made without public communication.
This is compounded by the use of the term “Department of War,” which aims to project a more belligerent image, in contrast to the traditional “defensive” approach of the Department of Defense.
This shift has been particularly evident in decisions affecting gender policy, civilian oversight of the Armed Forces, and relations with NATO allies.
In many cases, the government has prioritized personal loyalty over the professional experience of the commanders.
For all these reasons, Tuesday's meeting is not just a logistical appointment but also a measure of the military and ideological direction of the United States under the current administration.
Frequently asked questions about the urgent meeting convened by the U.S. Secretary of War.
Why has an urgent meeting of high-ranking military officials in the United States been召集?
The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has called an extraordinary meeting of hundreds of high-ranking military officials at the Marine Base in Quantico, Virginia. The summons was issued without providing explanations to the officers, generating speculation and concern both within and outside the U.S. military apparatus. This unusual order includes all brigadier generals and above, deployed in the United States and abroad, but does not apply to officials holding staff positions.
What political and military context surrounds this military call in the U.S.?
The meeting takes place at a time of increasing political and military uncertainty for the U.S., with a possible shutdown of the federal government if a provisional budget is not approved. Additionally, the tensions with Venezuela and the incursions of Russian drones near Alaska have increased pressure on the U.S. military. The restructuring of the Pentagon under the administration of Donald Trump, which includes changes to the chain of command and restrictions on the press, also adds a level of complexity to the context of the meeting.
What are the criticisms and concerns arising from this military meeting in Quantico?
The measure has generated criticism within the military establishment itself, which considers it risky to gather so many operational leaders in a single geographic location simultaneously. This could pose not only a logistical risk but also a strategic one, as it may leave certain areas unprotected or facilitate potential targeted attacks in the event of leaks. The exclusion of the staff members suggests that the focus is more tactical or operational rather than administrative or political, which has fueled theories about the real reason for the summons.
What implications does the change of name from the Department of Defense to the Department of War have?
The renaming of the Department of Defense to "Department of War" is an ideological reaffirmation of the new military doctrine under the administration of Donald Trump. This change aims to project a more belligerent image, in contrast to the traditional defensive approach. The measure is part of a cultural agenda that includes the elimination of diversity programs and a more closed and hierarchical focus in the operational logic of the Pentagon.
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