Today's meeting, which begins at the marine base Quantico at 15, Swedish time, is described as highly unusual. Defense Minister Pete Hegseth has called in hundreds of military personnel from US military bases around the world.
According to The Washington Post, the total number of participants may exceed 1,000.
The meeting's scope and urgent nature have caused confusion and concern in the ranks, writes the newspaper – not least after the Trump administration's dismissal of several military leaders earlier this year. Some fear further layoffs or drastic reorganizations.
People are very concerned. They have no idea what this means, says a source with insight.
The meeting takes place at the same time as the White House is rearranging its military priorities and recently sent military to several American cities to "combat crime".
According to the new strategy, the defense headquarters Pentagon will in the future focus more on perceived threats to the US and downplay the country's role in Europe and Africa.
To The Washington Post several anonymous sources describe a growing frustration over the plan, which they consider short-sighted and potentially irrelevant, especially considering President Donald Trump's "very personal and sometimes contradictory" approach to foreign policy.
Trump is expected to attend the gathering, which is led by Defense Minister Hegseth.
