The Pentagon unexpectedly requested senior American military leaders worldwide to convene at a military base in Virginia, where President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Higgsith will address them.

The meeting, scheduled at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico near Washington, has sparked widespread speculation about the purpose and significance of summoning such a large number of generals and admirals to one location, especially since many are stationed in over ten countries, including conflict zones in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Although meetings between senior military and civilian leaders are not new, experts noted that the size of this meeting, the short notice, and the surrounding secrecy are highly unusual.

Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a retired Marine colonel, said, “The idea that the secretary would speak to the generals and present his vision for managing the department, and possibly his strategy and organization, is perfectly logical.”

He added, “What is puzzling is why the meeting was announced shortly before it took place, why it is held in person (face-to-face), and what that might imply.”

This mystery comes as the country faces a potential government shutdown this week, and as Higgsith, who has strongly emphasized combat effectiveness and what he calls the “warrior spirit,” has taken several unusual and unexplained actions, including reducing the number of general officers and dismissing other senior military leaders.