Silicon Valley big tech executives have been recruited to take on high-ranking roles in the United States Army.
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The executives called up were Andrew Bosworth, Chief Technology Officer at Meta; Shyam Sankar, Chief Technology Officer at Palantir; Kevin Weil, Chief Product Officer at OpenAI; and Bob McGrew, advisor to the Thinking Machines Lab and former Director of Research at OpenAI.
All four were commissioned as lieutenant colonels in the Army Reserve and will be part of a program known as Detachment 201: the Army’s Executive Innovation Corps, focused on integrating technological innovations into the Armed Forces.
Before taking on their duties, the executives will complete the Army’s Direct Commission Course, a six-week program held at Fort Benning, Georgia, as well as the Army Physical Fitness Test and weapons training.
The Army Reserve offers part-time and hybrid roles for highly skilled professionals from various fields, including doctors, lawyers, veterinarians, and others with industry-specific expertise such as logistics.
Typically, these professionals begin at more junior ranks such as captain or major, allowing them to take on active roles in their areas of specialization without being forced into leadership positions they’re not prepared for.
However, the tech executives are entering at the rank of lieutenant colonel — a level most officers reach and hold only in their second decade of military service.
It’s important to note, though, that direct commission officers usually take on very different duties than traditional officers, and it’s unlikely that the four tech executives will command traditional military units.
“Their commissioning is just the beginning of a larger mission to inspire more tech professionals to serve without leaving their careers — showing the next generation how to make a difference in uniform,” the Army said in a statement.
Photo and video: Unsplash. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
