zlacker

Is there modern precedent for this?

I thought the modern US military was very big on process and tradition in the development of officers.

>>neilv+(OP)
Yes, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_commission_officer

And for individuals with the right skills and experience, O-5 isn't unusual.

EDIT: Here's a random example:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Military_Medicine/comments/1468l1f/...

>>neilv+(OP)
The Royal Aircraft Factory (Farnborough) during the notorious "White Feather" campaign hysteria of World War I; its workers were given a military rank, its superintendent, Mervyn O'Gorman, got field-promoted to lieutenant-colonel.

The somewhat famous quote "Alight here for the Home of Rest with Army Exemption thrown in", a familiar greeting to RAF's working force by Farnborough's tram conductors, is a testament to it.

>>neilv+(OP)
WW2, William Knudsen, president of General Motors, was directly commissioned in as a 3 star general. He was in charge of War Production. Sometimes, deep industry expertise can’t wait for OCS. Granted, this was wartime.

>>fiatpa+eb
These guys are being commissioned into the Army Reserve the idea is that they can get basic military instruction now and when the shit hits the fan the Army can immediately call up their expertise and they will understand how things work.