The Whole North Into Gaul

[Flavivs Aetivs]

Even then, it would have taken a long time for Odoacer to rise through the ranks in Roman politics to the point that he would have gotten a military command. It took Aetius 20 years to become head of the palace guard (Cura Palatii) and an army of Huns to become Magister Militum.

We know Odoacer was a Protector Domesticus thanks to Procopius, but what that rank means is that he was earmarked for future promotion. He has a foederati command under Ricimer in 472, but doesn't advance higher than that until he actually fights Orestes after demanding settlement in Italy, becoming Rex Italiae and deposing Augustulus. Unlike Severinus, who gives no real indication of Date, Procopius, Jordanes, and John of Antioch (who usually draws from Priscus) all do.

The best interpretation is that Odoacer didn't become embroiled in Roman court politics until the late 460's. Prior to that, he was serving Childeric and of course his father Edeco, returning after his defeat on the Loire and becoming king of the Scirii after Edeco's death some time in the late 460's (possibly at the Battle of Bolia in 469). The defeat of the Scirii at Bolia, actually, would be a good excuse for them to become foederati involved in the Roman military establishment.