It could just be that they needed him more in the Information Warfare command because something's going on there and they needed his expertise and they stuck Riley there as a stopgap because they had no idea who else to plug in there?
Because his new job is the kind of thing in this day that's a 'hot' position and you need someone good in there now?
It might be odd, but it would also be helpful to have someone in charge who isn't after just making their name as "The Rickover of <something>" in the couple of years they have at the helm. Some things just take longer to bring to usefulness than an admiral will see done while he's there. And then programs that the nation really could use, or needs, don't get pursued, or get cancelled, because the new person in charge isn't interested in having the credit go to the next guy in the chair.
(OldNFO, you and I might actually know each other in the real world. I never worked at ONR, but did work on a program or two funded out of there.)
She might have gotten clearances for her China work. Also if she's a DOGEr she might (wouldn't this be cool?) be able to fix the procurement mess. Or some of it.. And It's Just Boris makes a good point about a civilian being able to stay on versus active duty stopping in, pissing on a fire hydrant and leaving.
The President can wave his magic wand and get anyone granted a clearance.
Anecdote: I saw a Navy O-6, an LDO and former CWO and Enlisted Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels), and who was a defector/immigrant from East Germany as a young teenager get detailed to be the C.O. of a large Crypto/Electronic Warfare training base and the people went into shock saying, "No way a Navy Limited Duty Officer (LDO) and former Bosun's Mate can run this base." Similarly, I put a Marine Gunny Sergeant in charge of the Navy Electronic Warfare Class "A" School because he was the most senior man I had. They all said, "No way a Marine can run this school". In both cases the sky never fell, things went well and even improved. Maybe Riley will surprise people too. If she doesn't, she can be replaced. Trump is a master at firing people.
Personally, I think she is there to dismantle ONR. And I’m not the only one. I’m wondering what is going to happen with the MOUs with various countries for the JDAs… sigh…
It could just be that they needed him more in the Information Warfare command because something's going on there and they needed his expertise and they stuck Riley there as a stopgap because they had no idea who else to plug in there?
Because his new job is the kind of thing in this day that's a 'hot' position and you need someone good in there now?
He’s the first in a while with a PhD… And he was GOOD! I think she is there to dismantle ONR.
It might be odd, but it would also be helpful to have someone in charge who isn't after just making their name as "The Rickover of <something>" in the couple of years they have at the helm. Some things just take longer to bring to usefulness than an admiral will see done while he's there. And then programs that the nation really could use, or needs, don't get pursued, or get cancelled, because the new person in charge isn't interested in having the credit go to the next guy in the chair.
(OldNFO, you and I might actually know each other in the real world. I never worked at ONR, but did work on a program or two funded out of there.)
She might have gotten clearances for her China work. Also if she's a DOGEr she might (wouldn't this be cool?) be able to fix the procurement mess. Or some of it.. And It's Just Boris makes a good point about a civilian being able to stay on versus active duty stopping in, pissing on a fire hydrant and leaving.
The President can wave his magic wand and get anyone granted a clearance.
Anecdote: I saw a Navy O-6, an LDO and former CWO and Enlisted Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels), and who was a defector/immigrant from East Germany as a young teenager get detailed to be the C.O. of a large Crypto/Electronic Warfare training base and the people went into shock saying, "No way a Navy Limited Duty Officer (LDO) and former Bosun's Mate can run this base." Similarly, I put a Marine Gunny Sergeant in charge of the Navy Electronic Warfare Class "A" School because he was the most senior man I had. They all said, "No way a Marine can run this school". In both cases the sky never fell, things went well and even improved. Maybe Riley will surprise people too. If she doesn't, she can be replaced. Trump is a master at firing people.
Personally, I think she is there to dismantle ONR. And I’m not the only one. I’m wondering what is going to happen with the MOUs with various countries for the JDAs… sigh…