Small and mid-sized government contractors are quietly using AI to erase the advantage the big primes have long enjoyed. Budgets are tight, recompetes are fierce, and many large incumbents are still dabbling with AI pilot projects. Meanwhile, leaner firms that go “all in” on AI are winning bids by pricing sharper, forecasting resources better, and delivering results faster.

One example is Saalex Corporation. CEO Travis Mack says his team already routes about 10 percent of business processes through an enterprise AI management system and plans to hit 50 percent by the end of 2026. Early gains include real-time contract analytics, quicker program decisions, and lower overhead - exactly the edge mid-tiers need to out-maneuver larger rivals still experimenting on the sidelines.

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In 2003, Keith Richard—an accomplished logistics expert with no military background—made a decision that would forever alter the course of his life. Tasked with leading a rapidly mobilized operation to deliver critical fuel and supplies to U.S. military forces in Iraq and Kuwait, Richard stepped into a war zone as a civilian leader, navigating a role typically reserved for seasoned military personnel.

Thrust into the chaos of war, Richard had to rely on sheer discipline, unshakable grit, and calm resolve to guide both his team and himself. The job was unrelenting—issuing orders that sent unarmed civilian truck drivers into hostile territory, often with no guarantee of return.

“Civilians are the unsung heroes of the Iraq War and should be recognized for their patriotism and commitment to support the military,” Richard reflects.

In his gripping new memoir, Sand, Grit and Dangerous Supply Missions: The Unsung Civilian Heroes of the Iraq War, Richard recounts his extraordinary journey with humility and raw honesty. From modest beginnings along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast to directing a multibillion-dollar logistics campaign in the Middle East, he shares the unseen sacrifices made by thousands of civilian contractors during wartime on this episode of the Security Clearance Careers podcast.

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In this episode, we sit down with Megan Jaffer and Cadie Hopkins, the powerhouse duo behind the Iron Butterfly Foundation and Iron Butterfly Media, and now the groundbreaking documentary that amplifies the voices of women in the intelligence and national security community. If you’ve followed the Iron Butterfly podcast, you already know Megan and Cadie are passionate about highlighting the often unseen, unspoken, and uncelebrated stories of women in the shadows. Now, with this new documentary, they’re bringing those stories to the big screen.

We talk about what inspired Iron Butterfly—both the podcast and the film—and why representation matters now more than ever. From covert careers to classified missions, the women featured in Iron Butterfly share what it means to lead, serve, and make history—even when it happens as quietly as butterfly wings.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Megan and Cadie built a platform for women across the IC
• The untold challenges and triumphs of women working in the cleared space
• Why creating space for these conversations strengthens the entire national security mission

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to rise through the ranks while working in the shadows, Iron Butterfly delivers answers—and inspiration.

🎬 Spoiler: You’ll want to watch the documentary, binge the podcast, and probably start mentoring the next generation of women in intel by the time the episode is over.

Tune in to hear how two women are rewriting the narrative—one story at a time.

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In a powerful step forward for military brain health, a research team led by Dr. James Stone at the University of Virginia School of Medicine has received a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance a game-changing tool: the Generalized Blast Exposure Value (GBEV). This data-driven system is poised to revolutionize how we understand, measure, and ultimately protect service members from the invisible injuries caused by repeated blast exposure in both training and combat. Every day, military personnel are exposed to explosive forces—sometimes in direct combat, but more often during training scenarios like breaching exercises or heavy weapons use. These low-level, repeated blast exposures might not cause immediate harm but can build up over time, leading to long-term changes in brain function.

Enter the GBEV tool: a scientific method to assign a numerical score to a service member’s history of blast exposure. He joins the podcast to discuss how the tool informs policy, medical care, and public health strategy.

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hat’s really happening with Trusted Workforce 2.0? For years, it’s been billed as the game-changing reform effort to modernize how the government vets and clears its personnel. But with implementation lagging and key systems like NBIS still not fully operational, the big question remains: Are we making progress, or just stuck in process?

In this episode, we talk with Alyssa Czyz, Director at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), to unpack GAO’s latest report on the federal government’s personnel vetting overhaul. From the promise of Continuous Vetting to the pitfalls of missed timelines and unfinalized policies, Czyz gives a look at what’s been done—and what’s just been drafted.

We break down:

• What’s working (hello, Continuous Vetting) and what’s stalling (looking at you, NBIS).
• Why critical policies like the Personnel Vetting Management Standards are still sitting on the shelf.
• Whether NBIS is gaining—or losing—confidence as the tech backbone of the clearance process.
• How close we are to a truly mobile, modern, and streamlined vetting system.

Whether you’re deep in the weeds of personnel security or just trying to keep up with the alphabet soup of federal reform, this episode cuts through the noise and gives you the Trusted Workforce 2.0 update you actually need.

👉 Listen now to find out where we are, what’s missing, and what it’ll take to finally get this reform effort across the finish line.

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The annual NCMS Seminar brings together security professionals from across the nation. In this episode of the ClearanceJobs Podcast, we take you behind the scenes of the NCMS Annual Seminar—the premier event for industrial security professionals. Joining us are special guests Stevie Dahl and Sarah Turner, members of the NCMS National Board of Directors, who share their insights from this year’s event, including the most asked-about sessions, trends shaping the security profession, and why NCMS continues to be the must-attend seminar for cleared industry leaders.

From insider threat programs to classified contract compliance, the NCMS Seminar offers practical training and powerful networking for professionals across the national security ecosystem. Whether you're a long-time NCMS member or a first-time attendee, you’ll get a front-row seat to the people, policy, and partnerships shaping the future of security.

Tune in to hear Stevie and Sarah discuss:

• What to expect from this year’s keynote speakers and breakout sessions
• How NCMS is evolving to support professionals across career levels
• What’s new for NCMS members in 2025
• Why community and collaboration remain critical to mission success

This episode is your pass to the conversations happening at the cutting edge of security.

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Since its founding, The New IC has been the Intelligence and National Security Alliance's (INSA) premier workforce event—dedicated to supporting early- and mid-career professionals across the cleared community. Whether you're just getting your start or looking to take your next big step, this program is designed to help you build your skills, broaden your network, and thrive in the IC and national security space

This year’s program is bigger than ever. We’re kicking off with Career Conversations, a dynamic job fair and networking event where attendees can meet top IC employers, learn about in-demand skills, and forge career-making connections. And that’s just the beginning.

Learn more about the vital networking opportunities available at this event on Wednesday, June 25, from 1:00-6:00 pm at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA.

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The 2025 AI Expo for National Competitiveness, held from June 2–4 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., brought together over 15,000 attendees from government, academia, and industry to explore the future of artificial intelligence and its role in national security and economic leadership.

For today's episode of the Security Clearance Careers Podcast we give you the highlights of AI Expo, put on by the Special Competitive Studies Project – a non-partisan U.S. think tank and private foundation focused on technology and security, created by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. ClearanceJobs hosted the Talent Marketplace at the expo where companies and talent were able to meet, and career coaches were able to guide attendees, wherever they are at in thei job search.

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