FROM THE DESK OF CLEARANCEJOBS.COM
Clearance! Get your clearance! “A security clearance really refers to eligibility to access classified information – and you can’t get a clearance (or access) on your own. In order to obtain a security clearance, you must first obtain a job that requires one. Your employer – either the federal government or a government contractor – will walk you through the process of obtaining a clearance, after they’ve decide they want you for the job. Step one – find a job. Step two, obtain a clearance.”
Finding Fed intel jobs. “For a transitioning military member having valid security clearance, getting a job in Federal service is not only a natural progression, but one that can get you credit for your military service. You’ll start out in a higher leave category, higher step in grade, retirement benefits and receive preferential hiring. Regardless of your military job, the Federal government probably has a job you can fill. However, if your skill set includes working intelligence, your options expand exponentially.”
TECH, PRIVACY, & SECRECY
NSA looks to tap the Internet of Things. “The national security agency is researching opportunities to collect foreign intelligence — including the possibility of exploiting internet-connected biomedical devices like pacemakers . . . . ‘We’re looking at it sort of theoretically from a research point of view right now,’ Richard Ledgett, the NSA’s deputy director, said at a conference on military technology at Washington’s Newseum on Friday.” (The Intercept)
CIA’s Brennan on 28 classified pages. “CIA chief John Brennan said on Sunday he expects 28 classified pages of a U.S. congressional report into the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States to be published, absolving Saudi Arabia of any responsibility. . . . The withheld section of the 2002 report is central to a dispute over whether Americans should be able to sue the Saudi government, a key U.S. ally, for damages.” (Reuters)
The drive for diminutive drones. “Four unmanned systems developers from Israel are introducing new versions of Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (STUAS) at Eurosatory, addressing the growing interest in tactical UAS among military forces worldwide. . . . Smaller and lighter tactical drones that have evolved in Israel in recent years support such capabilities. Most systems weigh about half the weight of the Integrator; the latest versions are capable of fulfilling most of the missions carried by the new US drone.” (Defense Update)
CONTRACT WATCH
Highly Adaptive Cybersecurity Services. “The Obama administration, as part of a $19 billion national cybersecurity plan, is contemplating a one-stop shop for agencies to quickly buy cyberincident response services. A new request for information asks security vendors for advice on consolidating preventive, reactive and fix-it help within the government’s biggest pre-approved IT contractor list.” (Nextgov)
Marines seek high-tech performance measures. “U.S. Marine Corps researchers are reaching out to industry to determine if companies could provide wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) small enough to attach to the feet, legs, backs, and chests of Marine infantrymen. Officials of the Marine Corps Systems Command at Quantico Marine Base, Va., issued a source-sought notice on Tuesday (M67854-16-N-0510) for small lightweight IMUs to help with infantry mobility research. Researchers want to gather IMU data from Marine infantrymen to evaluate the fatigue and performance of Marines operating in the field over a variety of terrain and carrying different kinds of warfighter equipment.” (Military & Aerospace Electronics)
THE FORCE AND THE FIGHT
The FBI, Omar Mateen, and the slaughter in Orlando. “Omar Mateen’s life seemed to be on a successful trajectory a decade before he carried out one of the worst cases of mass murder in American history. . . . the Federal Bureau of Investigation was called in after reports from Mr. Mateen’s co-workers that he, the American-born son of Afghan immigrants, had suggested he may have had terrorist ties. The F.B.I. interviewed him twice, but after surveillance, records checks and witness interviews, agents were unable to verify any terrorist links and closed their investigation.” (The New York Times) See also, “Islamic State news agency says Orlando massacre the work of its ‘fighter’” and “FBI interviewed Orlando shooting suspect 3 times.”
A fracturing, morphing ISIS. “Panic over which future Islamic State affiliate should be of chief concern rises each day as the Islamic State loses turf in Iraq and Syria and foreign fighters flee. This panic should be muted, though, as all Islamic State affiliates are not created equal. A scary jihad map from al Qaeda last decade looks remarkably similar to a scary Islamic State map today. The names change but the places largely remain the same.” (War on the Rocks)
A fracturing, morphing Taliban. “Public executions were common when the Taliban ruled the country in the 1990s, and tens of thousands of Afghans have been killed during the post-2001 Taliban insurgency. Afghanistan, like neighboring Pakistan, also has a long history of cultural and religious conservatism associated with violent retribution. But analysts say the scale of the brutality continues to evolve as the Taliban becomes more fragmented and pushes out into additional areas of Afghanistan. Younger Taliban commanders also now operate more independently and are increasingly inspired by other brutal acts easily viewed on the Internet . . . .” (Washington Post)
