[@redbaron1234]
The pilots have been given the rank of Cadet for PR purposes, but in reality they are government property handled primarily by scientists; to put it another way, they are guinea pigs given pilot training. There will be a Lieutenant Ritsu assigned to give the pilots proper squad training and oversee them during their stay at the base, but in reality the one in charge of them will be Professor Lorenzo and his scientist underlings. He is the one who is the mind behind the Framewerk Project, and the lead designer for the Frames. While they are technically not part of the military, they still have to abide by the same rules as the armed forces do. If you've seen NGE it's basically the same thing.