[verst]

How is this different from 18F (a group within GSA which Elon killed), US Digital Service (which Elon kind of converted to DOGE) or Defense Digital Service (DDS)?

Is the only difference that the current government can claim they started this (completely ignoring they dismantled the previous programs)?

[nostrademons]

Now that the administration killed 18-F and USDS, they need a new organization that does the same thing but consists of people loyal to this administration.

[pimlottc]

More seriously, one big difference is that USDS recognized that design is as important as technology. This org only wants engineering-types.

> We're looking for expertise in software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, or technical project management. Strong problem-solving abilities and a passion for public service are essential.

[neogodless]

https://americabydesign.gov/

Design is separate but equal.

[mandevil]

Something often observed in authoritarian states is duplication of effort because of empire building. The ruler cannot trust any of his underlings- they are all sucking up to him and backstabbing each other constantly, so he pits them against each other, assigning overlapping responsibilities on purpose to keep any one subordinate from becoming too strong. This is why all of the "fascism/communism is so efficient" arguments need to actually look at the nature of Soviet or Nazi governments. As an example, there were at least five completely separate armed ground forces in Nazi Germany (1).

This constant competition between parts of the government actually led to tremendous waste. You can see it again in the Soviet space program during the 1960's. While NASA had a single purpose of getting to the moon before 1971 with a unified organization under the control of a single leader, after Khrushchev was deposed (and Korolev died) the Soviet space program splintered into a war between the old OKB-1 (Korolev's group) and Chelomei's OKB-52 that lasted for twenty years over Super-Proton vs Energia etc.

1: The Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS are the two most famous, but the Luftwaffe recruited, trained and equipped the Fallschirm-Panzer Korps and Fallshchirmjaeger- yes, German paratroops worked for Goering not the Wehrmacht. There were also five Marine Infantry Divisions under the Navy- they had half as many Marine Divisions as the US did, despite many fewer amphibious assaults! And the Volksturm, at the end of the war when things looked grim for Nazi Germany, was under NSDAP party control but separate from the Waffen-SS.

[Avshalom]

Those were services, this is a force

[nxobject]

Don't forget to work in "dominance" and "lethality"! It really, truly, is all about criticizing and tearing the old thing down, and belatedly stepping it up again with neoconservative vibes.

[vkou]

I'm assuming that unlike 18F or USDS, you'll likely be asked to do ethically-compromising things?

[reactordev]

You're missing a half dozen others.

Yeah, this is nothing more than grandstanding idealism. Their staff will no doubtably be as dumb as Space Force or Air Force when it comes to cloud and technology. I've dealt with them in various forms throughout the years contracting. BESPIN was entirely contractor driven. Their devops pipelines and how to deploy things. If that's your indicator, good luck.

[pimlottc]

Fortunately that's addressed in the extremely fine FAQ:

> How is Tech Force related to other government technology programs, including ones at GSA or the United States DOGE Service?

> While Tech Force will coordinate across all of government, it is distinct from other technology initiatives within government, including the United States DOGE Service and programs managed by GSA. These programs differ in their mandates, structure, required skillsets, and ability to convert to the competitive service.

Any questions?

[Igrom]

I was prepared to fume here until I checked your comment history. I guess it is true that sarcasm occasionally fails to get across the cable.

[jfindper]

How are they different?

Well, they're different. That's how.