That's nonsense. Look at the "about us" pages for tech companies and startups. You'll see a huge diversity of backgrounds among SVPs of engineering, including many first generation immigrants.
There are also a lot of senior military officers at the O-5 to O-6 level who started out enlisted. The relative lack at the O-7 level and above is due more to retirement age limits than anything else. If a service member did a couple enlisted tours, then went to college and OCS, they usually just run out of time.
There are also a lot of senior military officers at the O-5 to O-6 level who started out enlisted. The relative lack at the O-7 level and above is due more to retirement age limits than anything else. If a service member did a couple enlisted tours, then went to college and OCS, they usually just run out of time.