WASHINGTON — A rare and unusually public rebuke from several active-duty military pilots has intensified scrutiny of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, deepening concerns inside the Pentagon that an internal intelligence lapse may be more serious than officials have acknowledged, according to current and former defense personnel familiar with the matter.

The controversy erupted late Monday after a video compilation of pilots speaking out against what they described as “compromised leadership” spread rapidly across social media. While military service members occasionally voice dissent through protected channels, open criticism of a sitting defense secretary is exceedingly uncommon — and in some cases career-ending.

The pilots’ remarks center on a recently released Defense Department inspector general report, which found that Mr. Hegseth had discussed sensitive operational details in a private Signal group chat with current and former associates. The report concluded that some of the information should have remained restricted to secure facilities. Though the report did not allege malicious intent, it cited a “failure to adhere to established protocols.”

In the hours after the footage circulated, senior defense officials convened what one described as a “tense and highly uncomfortable” internal review of the materials referenced by the pilots. According to two officials briefed on the meeting, some attendees appeared “visibly unsettled” as they assessed the potential scope of the breach and whether any operational risks were created.

Pentagon spokespeople have declined to comment on the internal discussions, stressing instead that the Department “takes the safeguarding of classified information extremely seriously.”

Still, the public statements by the pilots — whose identities were partially blurred in the viral clips but later confirmed by independent outlets — indicate concerns that extend beyond routine frustration. In the video, one pilot states that “protocol isn’t optional” and suggests that deviations from security standards “put people in the field at risk.” Another, appearing in uniform, asserts that “trust is the backbone of any chain of command.”

Their decision to speak on camera, several former military lawyers said, underscores the unusual level of alarm within the aviation community, which often handles highly sensitive intelligence related to air operations.

Current and former Pentagon employees interviewed for this article described a department on edge, navigating a political climate already strained by competing pressures from Congress, where a coalition of lawmakers has publicly called for Mr. Hegseth’s resignation.

What remains unclear is whether the pilots were reacting solely to the inspector general report or to additional internal documents that have not yet been released publicly. Three officials familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said a set of internal files tied to the investigation had circulated among senior leaders in recent days. One official described the materials as “concerning,” while another said some information “should never have left a secure room.”

Those characterizations could not be independently verified.

The Pentagon has not indicated whether it plans to open a broader inquiry into the pilots’ statements or the circulation of internal materials. A spokesperson said only that leadership is “reviewing the situation.” Mr. Hegseth has not publicly addressed the pilots’ criticisms.

Defense analysts note that while disagreements over security protocol are not new, the convergence of leaked documents, public dissent from service members, and mounting political pressure creates an extraordinary moment for the department. “It’s a situation that would be difficult under any administration,” said a former senior defense official who oversaw intelligence compliance procedures. “The question now is whether this is a procedural lapse or something that signals deeper issues of discipline and oversight.”

The episode has sparked intense debate online, where the pilots’ video has drawn millions of views and prompted speculation about additional undisclosed information. Pentagon officials urged caution, warning that viral narratives often outpace verified facts.

For now, the incident leaves the Defense Department facing a highly unusual challenge: restoring confidence in its leadership while managing the implications of a security breach that may not be fully understood. As one senior officer put it, “This isn’t about politics. It’s about whether the people making decisions about national defense are following the same rules as everyone else.”