Claim via Social Media
Posts on social media claim the U.S. Army swore in four senior executives with ties to Meta, Palantir, and OpenAI as lieutenant colonels in 2025.
Explanation
This claim is true. According to a June 13, 2025, U.S. Army news release, four tech executives were indeed sworn in as lieutenant colonels in the U.S. Army Reserve. These individuals hold or previously held high-ranking roles at Meta, Palantir, and OpenAI.
The appointments raised eyebrows because the rank of lieutenant colonel generally requires around 16–20 years of military service. However, the Army clarified that these individuals were brought in under a special direct commissioning program and will serve in part-time advisory roles, providing technical expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure.
This initiative is part of a broader military effort to modernize and integrate advanced technologies across its operations.
Conclusion
Fact or Fiction? Fact. The Army confirmed it swore in four tech executives as lieutenant colonels to serve as part-time advisers in the Army Reserve.
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Snopes: Did the US Army Swear In Tech Executives from Meta, Palantir, and OpenAI as Lieutenant Colonels?
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Last Updated on June 22, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check