Future War
During a future war when WAN facilities are highly degraded and/or compromised there will be a need for these specialists to be very near the front line, at this point all the current physical & mental training requirements will pop up again.
Currently the head count in uniform = headcount that can follow orders & be used as infantry in extremis.
A largely civilian organisation being used to support armed service 'combat-techies' would be able to provide the numbers required.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
