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How Do Militaries Treat Their Nerds?

Posted by kdawson on from the permission-to-sudo-sir dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Cyber Warfare is a hot topic these days. A major reorganization may be looming, but a critical component is a culture where technologists can thrive. Two recent articles address this subject. Lieutenant Colonel Greg Conti and Colonel Buck Surdu recently published an article in the latest DoD IA Newsletter stating that 'The Army, Navy, and Air Force all maintain cyberwarfare components, but these organizations exist as ill-fitting appendages (PDF, pg. 14) that attempt to operate in inhospitable cultures where technical expertise is not recognized, cultivated, or completely understood.' In his TaoSecurity Blog Richard Bejtlich added 'When I left the Air Force in early 2001, I was the 31st of the last 32 eligible company grade officers in the Air Force Information Warfare Center to separate from the Air Force rather than take a new nontechnical assignment.' So, Slashdot, how has the military treated you and your technical friends? What changes are needed?"

7 of 426 comments (clear)

  1. How Do Militaries Treat Their Nerds? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Like cannon fodder.

    1. Re:How Do Militaries Treat Their Nerds? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well duh he was supposed to take the ammo from people he had killed, haven't you ever played an FPS?

    2. Re:How Do Militaries Treat Their Nerds? by mrdoogee · · Score: 5, Funny

      "I see you need AMMO. I don't have any AMMO but if you take this REPORT to CAPTAIN WHATSHISFACE he can show you how to get to FORT SOMEWHERE and meet SUPPLY SGT GUY. He can then show you the secret path to AMMO DUMP. I hear he likes TWINKIES. To find TWINKIES you must first find...."

    3. Re:How Do Militaries Treat Their Nerds? by Rinikusu · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually, you're not far off.

      Granted, it was post-basic and he was in Korea, and this is my interpretation of his story:

      "We need a starter for that truck and we need that done today."

      Hrm... we have no starters. Well, the Army uses the same truck, I wonder if they have any.

      *phone call verifies they have them*

      Drives over to the canteen
      "I need a side of beef and 2 cases of beer for Col So and So."
      "Col. so and so? Shit, here you go!"
      Drives over to Army base and meets with supply sergeant
      "I need a dozen starters for the truck"
      "Man, I can't do that, let me call the captain."
      Captain: "Man what are you doing on my base asking me for starters? Don't you Air force guys have any? ho ho ho ho"
      "Ha ha ha, you're right. But you know, I've got this side of beef here and 2 cases of beer, when's the last time you guys had a base barbeque?"
      "How many you need?"
      "12"
      "I'll give you 6"
      "Deal!"
      (even though he only needed... 1)

      It's amazing how much you can apply this to the "real world" as well.

      --
      If you were me, you'd be good lookin'. - six string samurai
  2. Right, right by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Somebody said "DNS," Vasquez thought they said "INS" and ran away.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  3. Re:If the military sucks, don't joint 'em. by ciderVisor · · Score: 5, Funny

    If it moves - salute it.
    If it's standing still - polish it.

    --
    Squirrel!
  4. Re:If the military sucks, don't joint 'em. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    For 125k/year, you can fuck me in the ass all day long. To be able to work for a "company" like the military that will always have work, but without having to be IN the military, I will blow you all day long. My respect is cheaply bought.