Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called a meeting of hundreds of top generals, leading many to wonder why he decided to call the meeting.

In a statement to The Washington Post, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said that Hegseth “will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week,” but offered no further details. There are around 800 military officials spread across the country, as well as dozens internationally.

"The secretary of war will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week," Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement. The Pentagon declined to disclose the reason for the meeting, which will occur at Quantico, a Marine Corps base around 30 miles south of the Pentagon.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed numerous generals and admirals, as well as some of their staff, from around the world to come to Quantico, Virginia next week.

Controversy about the battle has ensued for decades, especially around the 19 Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers for service in it.

Hegseth unveiled new restrictions on building access for Pentagon reporters that prompted worries among media outlets.

The Pentagon is implementing new guidelines that will require journalists to sign a pledge and agree to report only approved and officially released information.

Convening so many top military leaders in one location — and without stating a reason — is exceedingly rare, and presents a unique security risk.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — At the direction of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the soldiers who took part in the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890 will keep their medals.

The Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services was established in 1951 and is one of the oldest advisory committees in the Pentagon.