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FAQ FOR SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS AT HEGSETH’S QUANTICO MEETING  
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Eugene R. Fidell
September 26, 2025
Just Security
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_ In an unprecedented move, Pete Hegseth has summoned all U.S.
generals and admirals from around the globe to an in-person meeting.
The purpose is not clear. Here are some questions these military
leaders should be asking, and some answers. _

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Next week, America’s most senior military officers — the generals
and admirals — and senior enlisted personnel will have to appear en
masse
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a base in Quantico, Virginia, at the direction of Secretary of Defense
Pete Hegseth. The purpose of this assembly is not clear
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a fact that in itself is disturbing. Equally disturbing is the
security risk posed by the presence of such a large number of senior
national security officials in one place. The only good thing about
the summons is that word of it has been released — perhaps leaked
— several days in advance. This provides the affected officers and
senior enlisted an opportunity to consult among themselves and with
their retired peers and other trusted advisors, and provides Congress
an opportunity to inform itself.

The following are some questions and answers for those concerned:

Q. DO I HAVE TO BE THERE?

A. ‎If directed to attend, Yes.

Q. CAN SENATORS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO SERVE ON
THE COMMITTEES ON ARMED SERVICES, ATTEND?

A. Almost certainly not. There’s no harm in asking, though.

Q. WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN AT THE ASSEMBLY?

A. Hard to say, but it’s unlikely that this event will be merely
performative. One possibility is that it’s merely an opportunity
to rally the troops
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Another, according to rumor, is that martial law will be declared. A
third is that some number of officers will be called out by name for
supposed disloyalty to President Donald Trump and informed that they
have been relieved of their duties. Their replacements may or may not
be named immediately.

In addition (or alternatively), everyone in attendance may be required
to sign a loyalty oath to President Trump on the spot, or required to
take an oral oath to the same effect. In such a case, it seems
plausible that those who refuse will be summarily relieved of their
positions. 

It is possible that the President will be there in person. (He’s
left the door open.) More likely, the event will be filmed and broadly
disseminated — unless it is classified.

Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO BETWEEN NOW AND THE ASSEMBLY?

A. Prayerfully examine your values and your options and the
consequences for you and your family. Immediately identify, retain,
and consult competent counsel. Your staff judge advocate (SJA) may not
be in a position to render independent, confidential advice about such
matters as the possibility of criminal prosecution or adverse
administrative action, the military and civilian options for
contesting such actions, and the likelihood of success. The government
is the SJA’s client, not you. The Orders Project
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to refer you to knowledgeable private counsel. Keep whatever legal
advice you receive to yourself. Assume the worst.

Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO AT THE ASSEMBLY?

A. See preceding question. Discuss the announced event in detail with
counsel, including whether an order to sign a loyalty oath or take an
oral one is lawful. Unless you are entirely sure of where your values
and interests lie, it may be that the best course of action is to sign
nothing, and say nothing, especially until you have consulted
competent counsel. Unless forbidden to do so, or the event is
announced as classified, there is no reason not to record the
proceedings, and taking contemporaneous notes for your own use may be
wise.

Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER THE ASSEMBLY?

A. Promptly prepare a memorandum setting forth everything that
happened (unless it is classified). Consult competent counsel again,
especially if any adverse action is proposed or taken against you at
or after the assembly. Remember that fallout may include not only
relief from your duty assignment but also a Board of Inquiry,
involuntary retirement, a grade determination, and loss of your
security clearance. And bear in mind that retired regular officers
remain subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including
Article 88
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which criminalizes contemptuous words — even if true — against,
among others, the President, Secretary of Defense, and the service
secretaries.

The Trump administration has shown no compunction about purging
outstanding senior officers. It has been ruthless and unprincipled and
it should not be assumed that either your values, past service, or
personal interests count for anything in the current carnivorous
environment.

_Eugene R. Fidell (LinkedIn
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Justice at Yale Law School and is of counsel at the Washington, DC
firm Feldesman Leifer LLP.  He is a former President of the National
Institute of Military Justice, has edited the Global Military Justice
Reform [[link removed]] blog since founding it
in 2014, and is a co-author of Military Justice: Cases and
Materials (Carolina Academic Press 4th ed. 2023). He served as a
judge advocate in the U.S. Coast Guard._

_Just Security [[link removed]] is an online
forum for the rigorous analysis of security, democracy, foreign
policy, and rights. Founded in 2013, we aim to promote principled and
pragmatic solutions to problems confronting decision-makers in the
United States and abroad. Our expert authors are individuals with
significant government experience, academics, civil society
practitioners, individuals directly affected by national security
policies, and other leading voices. Our Board of Editors includes a
broad range of leading experts on domestic and international law and
policy. Just Security is based at the Reiss Center on Law and Security
[[link removed]] at New York University School of
Law._

* Department of Defense
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* Pete Hegseth
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* U.S. Military
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