[fudged71]

The tech industry is falling in line just as expected. Disgraceful. Don't take orders from a LtCol with zero military experience.

[shikshake]

To me it reads the other way around, the big money folks in the tech sector are pushing their influence into the military.

[SketchySeaBeast]

Yeah, this reads as the oligarchy further consolidating power.

[pessimizer]

You seem to be confused. When the tech industry starts appointing people to the military, it's America that is falling in line to them.

[jasonfrost]

Direct commission is a long standing practice, especially for technical fields like medical and now electronic warfare. Surgeons may direct commission to varying field-grade ranks as well, with bonus structure to be competitive with private practice. Military outsources these technical degrees to bring in blood in these voids.

[Gud]

Electronic warfare is typically done by employed soldiers.

[petcat]

Nobody is taking orders from these guys. They're advisors.

[ceejayoz]

They're advisors with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

[petcat]

Sure. The US military has done this for decades to prevent brain-drain around emerging technologies to the private sector.

[ceejayoz]

They could make them plain old Lieutenants for that, yes?

[petcat]

Distinction without a difference. They're advisors.

[ceejayoz]

Then why do they need the elevated rank?

[stronglikedan]

They're right above Privates, so still no one (of consequence) is taking orders from them.

[ceejayoz]

What? Per https://www.army.mil/ranks/, they outrank all enlisted and warrant officers, plus Second Lieutenants, First Lieutenants, Captains, and Majors.

Only full Colonels and the 1-5 star Generals outrank them.

[zouhair]

You assume they don't agree.