TLDR:
- Former military leaders and Defense Department officials are joining venture capital firms that specialize in defense technology startups.
- These officials could earn substantial sums if the technology they advocate is adopted by the government.
- Senator Elizabeth Warren has criticized this trend as war profiteering.
When high-ranking military officers and Defense Department officials retire, they often find jobs waiting for them in the private sector, working for defense contractors. However, there is a new spin on this revolving door between government service and industry. Ex-military and DOD officials are now signing up to work with venture capital firms that specialize in defense technology startups. Joining a VC firm offers the potential for great financial reward, as these officials could earn substantial sums if the technology they advocate is adopted by the government.
More than 50 high-ranking defense officials have already joined venture capital firms with investments in military-focused startups. These officials, known as “advisors,” often do not register as lobbyists. Senator Elizabeth Warren has criticized this trend, calling it an example of war profiteering.
Overall, the article highlights the movement of former military leaders into the world of venture capital and the potential financial rewards they could gain if the technologies they advocate are adopted by the government. However, this trend is not without criticism, as some see it as an unethical practice of profiting from war.
