Re:military related software (Score 1)

Well a majority of military software can be and is written without needing access to classified material and cots products are without a doubt, being widely integrated into the military. Sadly, cost is a big driving factor in decisions there as well. As for PE, test, spec writing, etc., hopefully most of that would stay here, but I'm not a system engineer, I'm software. It does nothing for me when the sys e. decides to use product X instead of having me write the code. However, let's say your correct and the coding is done here; How does off-shoring effect a defense contractor's job security and how does it effect national security as well: 1)Well the defense contractor may feel pretty secure his job is not going anywhere because of the reasons you give. The bean-counters upstairs, however, see the glut in the supply of homegrown programmers and realize they can probably do better laying off these high-priced individual and bringing in some new hires a couple months down the road for fast-food prices(a bit of an exaggeration but you get the point). Before you say it, I know that training can be costly but when do the bean-counters ever think rationally about our profession. Besides, they could always pull a "you train these guys and we will promote you in the future" scam like the guy in the article went through. 2)Well national security is an obvious one. Since our military is so heavily dependant on technology to fight wars, letting the cutting-edge work be done in some place like India is a recipe for disaster a few years down the line. How many people in this thread said they hoped to be out of this profession in a few years time? A brain drain like that is a scary thing.