Experts say the success of the Pentagon's newly created "drone czar" position, which will centralize most service-run drone programs under one manager, will hinge more on the personality of the person chosen and their ability to navigate internal politics than on the formal memo establishing the office. No one has been named to the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager role yet, and there are no widespread rumors about candidates. Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, who led similar centralization efforts, emphasized that the person hired must have the unmistakable backing of top leaders, work with rather than against the military services, and secure congressional buy-in. He noted that the new drone boss needs the personal influence, or "wasta," to ensure their directives are followed. David Berteau, a former assistant secretary of defense, added that the memo lacks a definitive list of which programs fall under the new office's authority, leaving room for disputes. Berteau warned that the drone czar can only take so many disputes to the Deputy Secretary for resolution, and that winning the first few battles is critical to establishing authority. These bureaucratic battles may begin immediately, as four different budgets are currently in motion, including reconciliation funding for fiscal 2025 that must be obligated by the end of September.
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