Executives from Meta, OpenAI, and Palantir Commissioned Into The US Army Reserve (theregister.com)
- Reference: 0178051725
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/06/15/0115241/executives-from-meta-openai-and-palantir-commissioned-into-the-us-army-reserve
- Source link: https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/13/us_army_techies/
They've all signed up for Detachment 201: Executive Innovation Corps, "an effort to recruit senior tech executives to serve part-time in the Army Reserve as senior advisors," [2]according to the official statement . "In this role they will work on targeted projects to help guide rapid and scalable tech solutions to complex problems..."
> "Our primary role will be to serve as technical experts advising the Army's modernization efforts," [Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth] [3]said on X ...
>
> As for Open AI's involvement, the company has been building its ties with the military-technology complex for some years now. Like Meta, OpenAI [4]is working with Anduril on military ideas and last year scandalized some by [5]watering down its past commitment to developing non-military products only. The Army wasn't answering questions on Friday but an article referenced by [OpenAI Chief Product Officer Kevin] Weil indicated that the four will have to serve a minimum of 120 hours a year, can work remotely, and won't have to pass basic training...
>
> "America wins when we unite the dynamism of American innovation with the military's vital missions," [Palantir CTO Shyam] Sankar [6]said on X . "This was the key to our triumphs in the 20th century. It can help us win again. I'm humbled by this new opportunity to serve my country, my home, America."
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/13/us_army_techies/
[2] https://www.army.mil/article/286317/army_launches_detachment_201_executive_innovation_corps_to_drive_tech_transformation
[3] https://x.com/boztank/status/1933512877140316628
[4] https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2024/openai-to-develop-us-military-tech-under-new-deal.html
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/15/ai_in_brief/
[6] https://x.com/ssankar/status/1933537990837494132
Should'a gotten Musk. (Score:1, Troll)
He'd make a great artillery target.
Wait, I know this one! (Score:5, Insightful)
Can anyone help jog my memory? When government and corporate interests merge, and you can't tell where corporations stop and government begins...what's that called? I'm sure I had a class on that once. Some kind of political movement. I can't remember what it's called but it was started by the editor of [1]Italy's largest socialist newspaper [avantionline.it]back in the 1920s. Anyone know?
[1] https://www.avantionline.it/
Actually, you do not know this one (Score:2)
> Can anyone help jog my memory? When government and corporate interests merge, and you can't tell where corporations stop and government begins...what's that called? I'm sure I had a class on that once. Some kind of political movement. I can't remember what it's called but it was started by the editor of [1]Italy's largest socialist newspaper [avantionline.it]back in the 1920s. Anyone know?
Actually, you do not know this one. I realize you were thinking fascism but fascism is not a merging of government and corporations. Under fascism, both labor and industry are subordinate to the Party, the government. The Party does not share. The Party allows labor unions for the workers, but the unions must be under Party authority. The Party allows industrialists to have syndicates but they also must be under Party authority. Every organization, every individual, is subordinate to the Party. The Party ma
[1] https://www.avantionline.it/
President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address (Score:4, Informative)
A cautionary statement from President Eisenhower back in 1961, noting that intelligence gathering and manipulation has always been a primary function of our military, as important as any physical munition. Information is power:
> A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction.
>
> Our military organization today bears little relation to that known by any of my predecessors in peace time, or indeed by the fighting men of World War II or Korea.
>
> Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United State corporations.
>
> This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence-economic, political, even spiritual-is felt in every city, every state house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.
>
> In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
>
> We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.
[1]President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address [archives.gov]
[1] https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/president-dwight-d-eisenhowers-farewell-address
Re: (Score:2)
In other words, education and enlightenment is the check against abuse of military strength. With FUD being the opposite.
For sale: one defense department, make an offer (Score:5, Insightful)
The parade today was literally showing ads for the corporate sponsors:
[1]https://www.mediaite.com/media... [mediaite.com]
It looks like commissions are for sale as well.
[1] https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/trumps-military-parade-gives-shoutouts-to-corporate-donors-special-thanks-to-our-sponsor-coinbase/
DISGUSTING (Score:4, Insightful)
They wouldn't pass an aptitude test, do 5 pushups, or contribute anything other than MORE GREED for their personal ego and "shareholder value."
That is not what the military is above.
This is yet more grift, tit for tat, and selling access to government and the military industrial complex.
Fuck Trump.
Age limit? (Score:2)
How old are these dudes? Isn't there an age limit to joining?
Re: (Score:2)
Depending on the program, you can get an age waiver. Typically doctors and nurses have no age limit for waiver. Other programs have definite age caps even with waiver.
My understanding is part of doing the waiver is to make it clear that depending on how old you are when you commission, you may be unlikely to make the 20 years to qualify for pension.
What is interesting is that by commissioning these executives, they will now be subject to the UCMJ...
Fascism on the march. (Score:2)
How utterly sickening.
What is Fascism? (Score:2)
Category: Political Ideologies
Clue: This authoritarian system, marked by the union of corporate and state power, nationalism, and suppression of dissent.
Answer: What is Fascism?
Fascism is not a union of gov and corp (Score:2)
> Category: Political Ideologies
> Clue: This authoritarian system, marked by the union of corporate and state power, nationalism, and suppression of dissent.
> Answer: What is Fascism?
Bzzzz -- Wrong.
Fascism is not a union of government and corporations. Under fascism, both labor and industry are subordinate to the Party, the government. The Party does not share. The Party allows labor unions for the workers, but the unions must be under Party authority. The Party allows industrialists to have syndicates but they also must be under Party authority. Every organization, every individual, is subordinate to the Party. The Party may play unions and syndicates off each other as convenient.
More Newspeak (Score:2)
Oh my... MilSpeak meets TechBroSpeak. A whole new lexicon of meaninglessness...
I doubt they'll need encryption at their meetings; no one will understand a word anyone says in plain.
It is rather synical that ... (Score:1)
... the militarization of the us is accompanied by names that come from a book that is inspired by the war against suppression and fascism.
As a former officer... (Score:5, Insightful)
...may I say: this is offensive. They can be overpaid consultants, but gifting them unearned rank...stinks.
Re:As a former officer... (Score:5, Insightful)
Particularly when all they really have to offer is snake oil.
Re: (Score:1)
Since when does snake oil surveil citizens and violate copyright?
Re: (Score:1)
Oh for the love of points. Totally agree.
Re:As a former officer... (Score:4, Funny)
Freedom, Brought to you by: Coca Cola
No longer need to carry loose change (Score:3)
> Freedom, Brought to you by: Coca Cola
At least we can swipe/tap cards at the vending machines, we no longer need to carry loose change in the field. :-)
Re: (Score:2)
And lieutant colonel is somewhat high isn't it? That higher than captain and major, isn't it?
Re: As a former officer... (Score:5, Informative)
Lt. Col is the typical end rank of a 20 year career.
We did the same during WW2 ... (Score:3)
> ...may I say: this is offensive. They can be overpaid consultants, but gifting them unearned rank...stinks.
I totally understand and agree with that sentiment. However we did similar things during WW2 to help manage war production. It was believed that certain experience and skill sets were needed inside the military and also to help facilitate working with industry. I believe the CEO of General Motors was made a Lt Gen. I am somewhat confused and concerned that they think such extreme action is necessary today. That there is a need for these people to be in some chain of command. And absent conditions that warr
Re: We did the same during WW2 ... (Score:2)
As a vet, I too find this offensive.
Yes, during a major worldwide war we did this extraordinarily unusual thing. There is no such exigent emergency. If these guys want to help, either be paid consultants, or start off as 2nd lieutenants like the rest of the officer corp.
Hope O-5 is not a Kentucky Colonel now (Score:2)
Could there be some reason they would need a military staff, and they themselves be in the chain of command? Lt Col would suggest a staff of hundreds? It would have to be some huge sort of infrastructure update? I sure as hell hope an O-5 is not some sort of honorary Kentucky Colonel now.
Re: (Score:2)
> I believe the CEO of General Motors was made a Lt Gen.
[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
Knudsen was president of the Chevrolet Division of General Motors from 1924 to 1937 and was president of General Motors from 1937 to 1940.
His experience and success as a key senior manager in the operations sides of Ford Motor Company and then General Motors led the Franklin Roosevelt administration to commission him directly as a lieutenant general in the United States Army to help lead the United States' war materiel production efforts for World War II.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_S._Knudsen
Could it be they need military staff? (Score:1)
Again, working from the WW2 precedent ... Could they possibly need some sort of military staff for their advisory role? A need to be in the chain of command for that staff?
Re: (Score:2)
How does this affect average enlisted men? As reserve LTCs, can they still order regular soldiers around? What about other officers?
They still get saluted ... (Score:2)
> How does this affect average enlisted men? As reserve LTCs, can they still order regular soldiers around? What about other officers?
They get saluted by all lower ranks when in uniform.
However if someone is not in your chain of command, ordering them around can be a tricky thing. A quick way to get yelled at by a full Colonel. Of course, having not earned the rank of Lt Col, would they care?
Re: (Score:2)
Historically, in monarchies, it's not been that offensive to appoint deserving individuals to a high command role in the military. Especially if they pay their way in.
Re: (Score:2)
Typically that would be if they bought their own Regiment or Battalion in along with them. Of course back then (250 years ago) those would be the men (labourers and peasants) from their estates.
The US has had privately raised units ... (Score:2)
> Typically that would be if they bought their own Regiment or Battalion in along with them. Of course back then (250 years ago) those would be the men (labourers and peasants) from their estates.
We did this 164'ish years ago during the Civil War, although I think the units were normally raised by States and officers appointed by Governors. A few raised privately. Also 127'ish years ago during the Spanish American war. I think the State raised units were typically considered US Army, and the private US Volunteers. Teddy Roosevelt's unit was USV.
And of course we did this 250'ish years ago during the American Revolution. States recruited regiments and Governors appointed officers and these became t