Why top execs of Meta, Palantir, OpenAI and other Silicon Valley companies are ‘joining’ US Army
Top technology executives from Silicon Valley’s biggest companies have enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as part of a groundbreaking new program designed to modernize military operations with cutting-edge tech expertise.The Army announced that four high-profile tech leaders will serve as lieutenant colonels in “Detachment 201,” dubbed the Executive Innovation Corps. The inaugural cohort includes Meta CTO Andrew “Boz” Bosworth, Palantir CTO Shyam Sankar, OpenAI Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil, and former OpenAI executive Bob McGrew.The executives will serve approximately 120 hours annually, working on projects ranging from AI-powered military systems to soldier fitness optimization using health data. Unlike traditional reservists, they’ll have flexibility to work remotely and won’t undergo basic training, though they must complete physical fitness tests and marksmanship training.
Tech industry embraces military service after years of resistance
This partnership marks a dramatic shift for Silicon Valley, which historically avoided defense work. The change reflects growing concerns about technological competition with China and lessons learned from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where commercial tech has proven crucial.“We need to go faster, and that’s exactly what we are doing here,” said Gen. Randy George, the Army’s chief of staff. The program aims to bridge the “commercial-military tech gap” while helping the Army prepare for future warfare involving ground robots, drones, and AI-coordinated sensor networks.Brynt Parmeter, the Pentagon’s chief talent management officer who spearheaded the initiative, plans to expand the program to thousands of participants across all military branches. The tech reservists will advise on commercial technology acquisition and help recruit additional high-tech talent.The executives cited patriotism as motivation, with Sankar noting his desire to serve the country that provided refuge for his family from violence in Nigeria.The program represents part of a wider defense modernization push under President Trump’s administration, which has sparked increased venture capital investment in defense technology. Recent deals include Saronic Technologies raising $600 million and drone company Epirus securing $250 million in funding.
