The US Army wants to recruit over 100 drone experts to help boost domestic defenses — here's how you can sign up

The US Army is seeking around 100 drone experts to join an upcoming evaluation exercise known as Gauntlet III, as part of the Pentagon's initiative to strengthen domestic defenses. Military personnel can sign up for the program regardless of their experience level, and the Pentagon has committed $1.1 billion to this endeavor. The recruitment drive, coordinated by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), seeks individuals with first-person-view (FPV) drone experience, including pilots who have flown these drones in acro mode, a manual setting that requires total control by the operator.

FPV aircraft enable operators to control drones using onboard camera feeds, assisting in surveillance, reconnaissance, and offensive operations. The Pentagon aims to create a permanent database of qualified operators drawn from various military branches, welcoming personnel with diverse operational expertise. Even those with limited experience may qualify, as the recruitment process evaluates how aircraft perform across different skill levels.

Interested service members need to complete the Pilot Interest Form on the Pentagon's Drone Dominance recruitment platform, providing a valid military email address to avoid rejection. Once registered, applicants must coordinate with their respective military branches, and successful candidates could operate experimental aircraft, contributing to the procurement decisions based on their assessments during competitive trials.