The Military-Industrial Complex President Eisenhower Warned About

The Revolving Door from the Pentagon to the Private Sector

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This report and short video, released in partnership with Brave New Foundation, reveal the extent of the Pentagon’s revolving door phenomenon, in which retired high-ranking generals and admirals cash in on their years of military experience by taking lucrative jobs with the defense industry.

CREW found 70 percent of the 108 three-and-four star generals and admirals who retired between 2009 and 2011 took jobs with defense contractors or consultants.  In at least a few cases, these retirees have continued to advise the Department of Defense — all while on the payroll of the defense industry. Key Findings:

• Retired generals can make more than their yearly military pay by serving on corporate boards
• Contractors have increased spending on lobbying for 40 percent in the last five years
• The U.S. government paid the top five defense contractors $113 billion in 2011
• As of early 2012, 68 percent of lobbyists for the top five defense contractors had prior public sector experience
• Pentagon rules prohibiting the revolving door are riddled with loopholes