Who has the authority to waive the 7-level requirement for clearing "Red-X" discrepancies?

The authority to waive the 7-level requirement for clearing "Red-X" discrepancies lies with the first officer in the chain of command at the 0-6 level, commonly known as a colonel. This level of authority is significant because it ensures that such waivers are granted only through senior leadership, who have the experience and oversight necessary to make informed decisions regarding potential safety and operational impacts. Granting waivers for technical requirements like the 7-level ensures that someone in a leadership position is taking responsibility for the implications of that waiver, providing a balance between immediate operational needs and maintaining technical integrity and safety standards. The higher rank has been entrusted with the knowledge to assess whether the circumstances warrant a bypass of standard procedures, making it a structured and accountable process within military operations.