Next week, America’s most senior military officers — the generals and admirals — and senior enlisted personnel will have to appear en masse at a base in Quantico, Virginia, at the direction of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The purpose of this assembly is not clear, 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. 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 and other organizations may be able 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, 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.
