President Donald Trump will attend a rare gathering of US generals and admirals in Quantico, Virginia, on Tuesday, telling military leaders they are “cherished” and urging them to remain strong, tough, and compassionate.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned senior US military leaders from around the world for the meeting at Marine Corps University in Quantico. It marks one of the rare occasions where America’s top two-, three-, and four-star generals and admirals will gather in one location.
The event will bring together commanders stationed in places such as South Korea, Japan, and across the Middle East. Officials estimate the cost of transporting and protecting the large group could run into millions of dollars.
Trump’s message to generals
Speaking to Reuters ahead of the meeting, Trump said:
“I want to tell the generals that we love them, they’re cherished leaders, to be strong, be tough and be smart and be compassionate.”
He described the moment as one of “esprit de corps”, adding, “It’s about time somebody did that.”
Hegseth’s warrior ethos
While Trump’s presence is expected to draw headlines, Defense Secretary Hegseth is also slated to deliver remarks focused on the need for a “warrior ethos” across the US military. A former Fox News host, Hegseth has moved quickly to reshape the Pentagon, firing top generals and criticizing diversity initiatives he labels “discriminatory.”
Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense back to the Department of War, reviving the title it carried until after World War II. The symbolic change underscores his administration’s emphasis on military strength and combat readiness.
