DefCON-1 Your Defense, Aerospace & Health IT Industry Career Opportunities & News Network

230405_SAS_chesty_Mehta_cro Chesty XVI, the official mascot of the US Marine Corps, took a stroll through the Sea Air Space show floor. His presence raised several questions, among them “who is a good dog,” and “is it you? Are you the good dog?” (Aaron Mehta/Breaking Defense)

DefCon-1 Industry newsletter for April 16, 2025

http://www.yourdefcon1.com/

Issue # 891 – DefCON-1 comes to you free each week, cooperatively published out of the greater Washington, D.C. area, with content from contributors in the general defense, intelligence, aerospace, health IT, and security communities around the globe.

*** Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the number one ranked Defense & Aerospace Industry Career Opportunities & News Network, “DefCON-1”. We are dedicated to delivering a newsletter, website, and digital resource for those in the Defense, Intelligence, Security, Aerospace, and Health IT markets. Share your ideas and feedback at mlmmarcom@gmail.com. If you’re not already subscribed, you can do that by sending a quick email to mlmmarcom@gmail.com. Our website is http://www.yourdefcon1.com/,

Our broad and robust network of continually growing subscribers includes individuals currently looking for jobs, people thinking about it, or those just curious.. Plus, we have numerous subscribers who are corporate HR recruiters from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and everything in between, along with executive recruiters and hungry headhunters. 

We feature very recent active job opportunities, plus news on industry and government in brief. We rely on members like you to submit job listings and other interesting content to help grow our network and community.

*** Sign up yourself, friends, and associates for weekly free delivery of this newsletter through Google Groups by sending an email to “MLM” at mlmmarcomms@gmail.com

Very interesting… Did you know that your reaction times can reveal a surprising amount about what’s going on inside your body, from your brain and heart health to your risk of an early death?  Scientists are finding that being able to maintain an average reaction speed can be a key indicator that our brain is still in good working order, even into our latter decades … “Some people just tend to be faster than others, even before ageing effects really kick in,” says Simon Cox, professor of brain and cognitive ageing at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. “But a decline in reaction times probably indicates an accumulation of age-related degradation. It’s a marker which tells us a lot about the combined functioning of quite a lot of biological systems.” One assessment is a well-known experiment known as the “ruler drop test”. You’ll need a ruler and  the assistance of another person:

  • Sit in a chair, resting your arm on a table so that your wrist is hanging off the edge, with your thumb and forefingers facing up.
  • Ask your partner to hold a ruler vertically, over your hand, with the “zero”, where the numbers start, aligned with your thumb.
  • Without warning, your partner should drop the ruler, while you try to catch it as quickly as possible.
  • The distance the ruler falls before being caught is an assessment of your reaction time.

Broadly speaking, an excellent performance equates to catching the ruler at a distance less than 7.5cm, above average counts as 7.5-15.9cm, average is 15.9-20.4cm, while below average is anything over 20.4cm and poor is more than 28cm.

There is a correlation between the speed of decline in reaction times and risk of multiple age-related illnesses. In addition to a person’s overall risk of death – one study found that there was a significant link between a person’s reaction times and the likelihood of death from all major causes – there is also a strong relationship between this metric and the risk of death from specific conditions. This includes coronary heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease…reaction times are also associated with their susceptibility to falls, losing the ability to live independently and the onset of dementia…There are two components to a reaction to the ruler drop test – the brain’s ability to make a quick assessment that it has been dropped, and the speed with which the body can act on the brain’s instructions to catch it. The first component of this network which tends to break down, beginning in midlife, is our physical ability to act on the brain’s signals. Our brains notice that the ruler has been let go within milliseconds – but it still takes a while for the body to catch up… But there are things that we can all do to either slow or prevent this decline from happening. Dual task training, which involves simultaneous movement and cognitive training activities tune both the brain and body. For examples walking while turning your head from side to side, balancing on one leg while reciting the alphabet, or tossing a ball while verbally associating words. Sports performance drills which require fast responses boost reaction times by enhancing both brain and body and generally keeping more socio-intellectually engaged is related to slower cognitive ageing from aspects of complex thinking.

See full article: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250414-quick-home-health-tests-to-check-your-reaction-times

 

Thinking about AI…   Artificial intelligence has the awesome power to change the way we live our lives, in both good and dangerous ways. Back in 2019, he research group Open AI created software that generated paragraphs of coherent text and performed rudimentary reading comprehension and analysis without specific instruction. Fast forward a few years, and AI capabilities have increased exponentially, including GPT-3, GPT-4 (and later in 2025 GPT-5) … The Chatbot-GPT interface derived from that programming led reporters and experts to test its capabilities – often with surprising results. Chatbot-GPT scripted stand-up routines in the style of the late comedian George Carlin about the Silicon Valley Bank failure. It covered Christian theology, and it wrote poetry. It explained quantum theory physics to a child as though it were rapper Snoop Dogg, while generating visuals so compelling they spark controversy over their inclusion on art websites. Machines, at least to the naked eye, have achieved creativity…AI could go in different directions over the next 10 years. Focusing on transparency in AI system design for individuals to opt-in to whether their publicly available information is included in the AI’s knowledge base. Or on the other hand, AI anticipates user needs – and gets them wrong or selectively limits choices. (And what about guardrails?) Federal oversight of social media companies is largely based on the Communications Decency Act, passed by Congress in 1996; it protects internet companies from being held liable for user-generated content on their websites. Yet, even if government succeeds in enacting new social media regulations, and positively impacts today’s flood of pernicious AI-generated content, in the words of Robert Frost (1922) “The woods are dark, lovely and deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep…”.

Full article from BBC, Anthony Zurcher: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64967627

Upcoming live and virtual events… {Please give us your ‘Rotten Potatoes’ assessment on conferences you attend.}

  • Based on ad hoc DefCON-1 “Potato-meter” on Sea Air Space 2025 conference: The Naval Sea Systems Command was present but no briefings on major shipbuilding programs. There were only a few junior uniformed personnel compared to previous years, as the White House’s mandate to cut down on government travel. Industry experienced a lack of one-on-one engagement with the Navy. DefCON-1 Rotten Potatoes score 70. We’ll check back in next year…
  • Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT):2025 – 18, 19, 20 July, the world’s largest military airshow, Three-day event held at RAF Fairford, in Cotswolds, 170,000 visitors, 22 000 hospitality guests over three days with hundreds of aircraft https://www.airtattoo.com/
  • Farnborough International Airshow, June 30, 2025, An international air show that takes place every two years, aerospace, aviation and defense industries are invited to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/
  • Paris Air Show, 16-22JUNE 2025,  PARIS • LE BOURGET, major international Air Show, organized by SIAE, a subsidiary of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS). It is the largest event in the aerospace industry, bringing together stakeholders from around the world   https://www.siae.fr/en/

 Podcasts…

      You can hear Defense One’s full State of Defense agenda and future events, here.

 

***  Here are your DefCON-1 jobs for this week  ***

!!! PRIORITY TOP OF THE PAGE NEED TO HIRE NOW Just posted this week…!!!

 Tech, IT, Engineering, Networks, Configuration Management, Cyber, Cloud, AI/ML

1.) Ship’s Self Defense System – SSDS Officer Trainer, Training Specialist Advisor, Enterprise IT, Virginia Beach, VA, General Dynamics IT https://www.gdit.com/careers/job/7f7d0085f/ships-self-defense-system-ssds-officer-trainer/?q=defense
2.) Configuration Manager – Level 2, Elkridge, MD, CybercoreTech  https://cybercoretech.com/careers/
3.) Systems Engineer – Level 2, Columbia, MD, CYBERCORETECH https://cybercoretech-jobs.services.agileonboarding.com/jobs/details/144/2025-04-14
4.) Cyber Defense Cloud Incident Responder, Maryland, ASRC Federal https://us242.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/asrcfh/SITE/CANDIDATEPORTAL/
5.) NETWORK SECURITY ENGINEER, Fort Bragg , North Carolina , Booz Allen https://careers.boozallen.com/teams/JobDetail?jobId=110649
6.) Computer Systems Analyst, Omaha, NE, Helios Defense Solutions https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/c5fab66d-f8b7-4fc6-beef-0c1e89c0d44e/Helios-Defense-Solutions-LLC

7.) Cyber Warfare Officer, U.S. Army https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/signal-intelligence/locations-stats-frequencies/17a-cyber-warfare-officer

8.) Software Engineer, Glen Burnie, MD,  Kratos Defense Rocket Support Services, participate in flight software, ground support software and hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulation software development for thrust vector guided suborbital launch vehicles, attitude control systems, and hypersonic projects https://www.kratosdefense.com/careers/us
9.) ORION Technician Apprentice, Merritt Island, FL, ASRC Federal at Kennedy Space Center https://us242.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/asrcfh/SITE/CANDIDATEPORTAL/Posting/View/7099
10.) Tier II PC Tech, Baltimore, MD, CYBERCORETECH https://cybercoretech-jobs.services.agileonboarding.com/jobs/details/85/2025-01-08
11.) Identity Consultant Defense Division – Location Remote, General Dynamic IT (GDIT), Enterprise Office Solution (DEOS) Cloud Services https://www.gdit.com/careers/job/91590b4b5/identity-consultant-remote/?q=defense

Health, Science, Education, Environmental 

12.) DIGITAL FORENSIC INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAM LEAD, McLean, Virginia, Booz Allen https://careers.boozallen.com/teams/JobDetail?jobId=109557
 13.) Chemistry Instructor, San Diego, CA, Helios Defense Solutions, support U.S. NAVY EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINING AND EVALUATION UNIT ONE (EODTEU ONE) in Naval Base San Diego, CA  https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/3109804
14.) Defense Attorney, Washington, DC, Intelliknow https://www.linkedin.com/company/intelliknow/
15.) Senior Executive for Defense Health Agency Partnerships, Reston, VA, Leidos Holding https://careers.leidos.com/search/jobs/in/reston
16.) Network Engineer (Defense Health Systems), Bismarck, ND & Augusta, ME, ASM Research, An Accenture Federal Services Company https://asmr.dejobs.org/fort-meade-md/database-administrator-2/9BC9B38D77AC43939E6824C319BA8F2C/job/?utm_source=XMLFeed-DE&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=XMLFeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=XMLFeed&utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply
17.) Aerospace Medical Research, Oklahoma City, OK, ProSidian Consulting https://careercenter.americananthro.org/job/671495/prosidian-consulting-llc-is-hiring-writer-editor-cultural-resources-field-gu/?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic
Intel, Aerospace, Security, Safety, Policy
18.) INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY MANAGER, Fort Meade, Maryland, Booz Allen https://careers.boozallen.com/teams/JobDetail?jobId=110585
19.)  Staff System Test IPT Lead (AHT), Northridge, California, Northrop Grumman https://jobs.northropgrumman.com/careers?query=defense%20contracts&pid=1340057991962&domain=ngc.com&sort_by=relevance
20.) Intelligence/Crime Analyst, Orlando, FL, University Central Florida https://jobs.ucf.edu/jobs/intelligence-crime-analyst-orlando-florida-united-states?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic
21.) INTELLIGENCE ANALYST 2, Minden, NV, State of Nevada https://www.careersingovernment.com/job/760997/intelligence-analyst-2/?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic
22.) Intelligence Manager, Charlotte, NC, Accenture https://www.accenture.com/us-en/careers
23.) OPIR Analyst with Security Clearance, El Segundo, CA, Aerospace Corporation https://talent.aerospace.org/careers
24.) Privacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Compliance – Senior Leader, Mesa, AZ, Boeing https://jobs.boeing.com/job/plano/privacy-and-artificial-intelligence-ai-compliance-senior-leader/185/79883791376
Program Management, Contracts, Admin, Finance, Internships, Operations, HR
25.) Sr Manager Category Management, Supply Chain and Program Management, location remote, General Dynamics IT https://www.gdit.com/careers/job/0df7deace/sr-manager-category-management/?q=defense%20aerospace
26.) Program Manager, San Diego, CA, Helios Defense Solutions, support U.S. NAVY EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TRAINING AND EVALUATION UNIT ONE (EODTEU ONE) in Naval Base San Diego, CA. https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/3109848
27.) Sr Director Finance (Defense), Tampa, FL, REPKON USA  https://www.repkon-usa.com/careers/
28.) Accounting Specialist, Dallastown, PA, Kratos Defense https://www.kratosdefense.com/careers/us
29.) Human Resources Leader – Aerospace and Defense, Linthicum Heights, MD Northrop Grumman, https://jobs.northropgrumman.com/careers?query=human%20resources
30.) Principal Program Cost and Schedule Control Analyst, Melbourne, Florida, Northrop Grumman https://jobs.northropgrumman.com/careers?query=healthcare%20&pid=1340057841009&domain=ngc.com&sort_by=relevance&triggerGoButton=false
31.) Financial Analyst, Washington, DC, Kratos Defense https://www.kratosdefense.com/careers/us
32.) Program Manager III (Defense/Global), Tampa, FL, REPKON USA – Tampa, FL https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Repkon-USA/jobs?jk=01548bff8c4a7242&start=0&clearPrefilter=1
Capture, Marketing, Communications, Business Development, Sales, Customer Service  

33.) Web Developer, Fort Meade, MD, CYBERCORETECH https://cybercoretech-jobs.services.agileonboarding.com/jobs/details/157/2025-04-10   34

34.) Customer Service Representative, call center exp., Beltsville, MD, ASRC Federal https://us242.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/asrcfh/SITE/CANDIDATEPORTAL/Posting/View/7097

35.) Vice President Global Marketing and Strategy, Aerospace, New Port Richey, FL, Danaher  https://jobs.danaher.com/global/en/job/R1281171/Vice-President-Global-Marketing-and-Strategy-Aerospace?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

36.) Director of Sales at a Leading Defense Contractor, Dallas, TX, JRG Partners LLC https://www.jrgpartners.com/jobs/director-of-sales-aerospace/?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

37.) Technical Sales Engineer – Aerospace & Defense, New Hampshire, Kistler Group https://www.kistler.com/US/en/kistler-jobs-offers/jobs

38.) Solution Sales Engineer, Manchester, Environ Energy https://us.bebee.com/job/57430b285be640bc3f65401c98ee3dd7
39.) Aerospace & Defense Marketing Director, Arlington, VA, Cordia Resources by Cherry Bekaert https://www.cordiaresources.com/job-seekers/job-opportunities/
40.) Business Development Director, Huntsville, AL, Kratos Defense https://www.kratosdefense.com/careers/us
Miscellaneous
41.) Co-op, Flight Safety Programs (Fall 2025), Atlanta, GA Delta Airlines  https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/co-op-flight-safety-data-science-summer-2025-at-delta-air-lines-4145163935/
42.)  Motor Vehicle Mechanic, Shemya Island, Alaska, ASRC Federal, ISS2 contract Air Force, Earackson Air Station, Shemya, AK https://us242.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/asrcfh/SITE/CANDIDATEPORTAL/Posting/View/7073
43.) ASVAB Improvement Specialist, Lafayette, IN, Helios Defense Solutions, for the Recruiting and Retention Battalion (RRB) of the Indiana Army National Guard (INARNG) https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/3127500
44.) Senior Materials Engineer – Thermal Spray, Jupiter, FL, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions https://www.kratosdefense.com/careers/us
45.) Chinese OSINT Collector, Reston, Virginia, Leidos, Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph https://careers.leidos.com/jobs/15887545-chinese-osint-collector-ts-slash-sci
46.) Subject Matter Expert (DoD), PICATINNY ARS, NJ, The Lockwood Group https://thelockwoodgroupllc.com/careers/
47.) Military Family Life Counselor, Bethesda, MD, Magellan Health  https://careers.magellanhealth.com/us/en/job/R00000063320/Military-Family-Life-Counselor?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic
48.) Interdisciplinary Engineer, Chantilly, VA, Defense Contract ManagementAgency   https://www.usajobs.gov/job/831738800?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

49.) MEDIA & FILM/VIDEO – 

** Writer/Editor | Cultural Resources Field Guides, Charlotte, NC, ProSidian Co https://www.mediabistro.com/jobs/674227704-writer-editor-cultural-resources-field-guides-fpac012017-job-at-prosidian-co?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

** Social Media and Video Editor, Washington, DC, WTOP-AM/FM

https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?d=ExternalCareerSite&_icx=v02umPV2IfoiCKYJ_zYy8vfMVR2zWaDVxn76sB7_caSUqqJihGkYFgv9shFHdZjUlly&c=2175307&_dissimuloSSO=m6xxsnApIYQ:2iV9DP63TuaQf4mUqr2WdmSo2VM#/

** WTOP Digital Writer/Editor, PT Freelance, Washington, DC, WTOP-AM/FM https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?d=ExternalCareerSite&_icx=v02umPV2IfoiCKYJ_zYy8vfMVR2zWaDVxn76sB7_caSUqqJihGkYFgv9shFHdZjUlly&c=2175307&_dissimuloSSO=m6xxsnApIYQ:2iV9DP63TuaQf4mUqr2WdmSo2VM#/

** Associate Producer, Washington, DC, WTOP-AM/FM

https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?d=ExternalCareerSite&_icx=v02umPV2IfoiCKYJ_zYy8vfMVR2zWaDVxn76sB7_caSUqqJihGkYFgv9shFHdZjUlly&c=2175307&_dissimuloSSO=m6xxsnApIYQ:2iV9DP63TuaQf4mUqr2WdmSo2VM#/

** News Producer, Rochester (NY), NY, WHEC-TV

https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?d=ExternalCareerSite&_icx=v02umPV2IfoiCKYJ_zYy8vfMVR2zWaDVxn76sB7_caSUqqJihGkYFgv9shFHdZjUlly&c=2175307&_dissimuloSSO=m6xxsnApIYQ:2iV9DP63TuaQf4mUqr2WdmSo2VM#/

** Digital Executive Producer, Albuquerque, NM, KOB-TV https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?d=ExternalCareerSite&_icx=v02umPV2IfoiCKYJ_zYy8vfMVR2zWaDVxn76sB7_caSUqqJihGkYFgv9shFHdZjUlly&c=2175307&_dissimuloSSO=m6xxsnApIYQ:2iV9DP63TuaQf4mUqr2WdmSo2VM#/

 

50.) ATHLETICS –

** Assistant/Associate Swimming & Diving Coach, West Point, NY, Army West Point Athletic Association Inc https://www.teamworkonline.com/college-jobs/collegesportsjobs/army-westpoint/assistant-associate-swimming-diving-coach-2113343?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic
** Insurance Broker (Athletes, Military and Sales leaders encouraged to apply), Norfolk, VA, Consumer Advocate Program LLC https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=3926170816f1cd7c&utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic
** Assistant Athletic Trainer, Lexington, VA, Virginia Military Institute https://www.vmi.edu/about/offices-a-z/human-resources/jobs/all/job-openings/name-45384-en.php?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic
** Fencing Coach, OnTarget Fencing Club, Columbia, Maryland, Foil Coach, help run the club, if your partner is a fencer, we can provide part-time employment for an additional foil, epee, or saber coach. Application Instructions: contact Adrian at otfc@ontargetfencingclub.com tel. 410-782-1697
** Athletic Coaching Opportunities (2025-2026), Washington, DC, Georgetown Day School https://www.gds.org/about/careers-at-gds
** Director of Basketball, Brooklyn Basketball, Brooklyn, NY, BSE Global https://www.bseglobal.net/job/?source=TeamWork&gh_jid=6493188003&gh_jid=6493188003

51.) If you want to see particular job titles, locations, or other specifications, let us know, and we will feature them. Please email the details to MLM mlmmarcomms@gmail.com  

  • And, if you know of an active, relevant, open job requisition (fully funded, if applicable) where you work or anywhere else, please email them to MLM at mlmmarcomms@gmail.com

52.) IMPORTANT: Please take a moment and forward this week’s free edition of DefCON-1 to at least one person or one of your online groups or communities.

  • You could also just forward some of your email contacts to me, and I’ll invite them. MLM at mlmmarcomms@gmail.com. If they accept, we’ll load them up on the free DefCON-1 network subscriber list. No fuss, no muss…

 

I saw a few things on LinkedIn about professional & personal development. 

  • Depression is not a weakness; it’s a part of being human. We all go through moments when life feels heavy, and the darkness seems endless. But while sadness is natural, letting it take over can hold us back from truly living. The hardest battle is not feeling low—it’s believing that better days are ahead. No matter how dark the storm, the sun is always there, waiting to shine again. Healing starts the moment we decide to look beyond our pain and take small steps toward hope. You are stronger than your struggles. Seek support, embrace change, and remind yourself that you are meant for more than just surviving—you are meant to thrive. https://www.linkedin.com/in/saima-irfan/
    hashtagMentalHealthMatters hashtagYouAreNotAlone hashtagHope hashtagHealing hashtagKeepGoing
  • Reconnecting to the essence of you… (podcast)

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back2basics-reconnecting-to-the-essence-of-you/id1447967547

A few Trade Press highlights & lowlights: §  Unmanned vessels…. will head to 4th Fleet this summer, with a mission to “deter the flow of drugs” into the US, according to a top Navy official, and is ready to expand the use of unmanned systems to the broader fleet, and will start with US 4th Fleet later this summer. “The 4th Fleet area of operations will provide us with an environment best suited to operationalize the concepts of Task Force 59 that’s worked tirelessly to develop to increase our maritime domain awareness,” Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said during joint remarks with the CNO. The Navy plans to begin integrating air and surface unmanned systems into US 4th Fleet, which is part of US Southern Command. Those capabilities will begin operations in that region during the UNITAS 2023 exercise scheduled for July. The new unmanned systems will be “integrated into the command structure.” “The goal here is to have far better [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] across the entire area of operations so that we can deter the flow of drugs into the United States as well as help our allies and partners [in stopping] illegal fishing. We want to scale this. The Southern Command AOR seemed like a perfect environment for us to do this. And to get after… those real-world missions that we’re responsible for with respect to counter trafficking as well as the illegal and unregulated fishing.” In addition, the service-wide “Unmanned Task Force,” is largely focused on classified payload development. https://breakingdefense.com/2023/04/unmanned-ships-deploying-to-southcom-as-navy-seeks-to-prove-technology-ready-to-scale/
§  Weapons in space… Gen. Stephen Whiting, the head of US Space Command, put a capstone on the public campaign by top military space officials to reorient the US way of war to emphasize space is very much a new front for fighting — deliberately calling out the need for the deployment of “weapons” in space. He further announced several initiatives designed to forward US capacity to fight in space, including a recent experiment with France involving close maneuvers near a “competitor” satellite and a new experimental project to develop capabilities for “sustained space maneuver.” At the same time, he said, “we must not forget peace is our desired outcome. War in space is not inevitable and US Space Command remains committed to preserving space as a domain for peaceful exploration.” Further, the development of space-based missile defense interceptors is a central element in President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome concept of a multi-layered homeland missile defense and air defense shield. The US and France recently conducted a first ever bilateral rendezvous and proximity operation to demonstrate combined capabilities in space in the vicinity of a strategic competitor spacecraft. France is the only US ally that has publicly acknowledged that it is developing on-orbit weapons: “patrol satellites” equipped with lasers to shoot-back at threatening adversary birds with French Space Command Space Command, as well as satellite-based counterspace technologies. Whiting cautioned that there is no guarantee that a future space war could be won quickly, and stressed SPACECOM’s continued priority on developing new capabilities for space mobility and “sustained maneuver” — such as rendezvous and proximity operations, in-space refueling and on-orbit logistics. SPACECOM is also “cosponsoring” a new experimental effort with SpaceWERX, the Air Force Research Laboratory’s space innovation hub… https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/time-for-space-force-to-clearly-say-it-needs-weapons-in-space-spacecom-head/
A slice of…American Demographics
What do we know about our nation’s veterans? According to the Census Bureau, 6.1% of the adult American population, or 15.8 million people, identified as veterans in 2023. This number has been steadily declining for decades, while growing more diverse. Between 2010 and 2023, the total number of veterans fell by more than 5.9 million, or more than 25%.
 Title 38 of the United States Code defines a veteran as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.” The code also outlines who qualifies for veteran status beyond active duty to include service members such as reservists, members of the National Guard, cadets and midshipmen at military academies, commissioned officers outside the Armed Forces, and those in training for military service. The Department of Veteran Affairs is responsible for determining veteran status and maintaining veteran benefit eligibility.
What is a protected veteran?  The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 prohibits discrimination against certain veterans. Protected veterans meet the Title 38 qualifications but are afforded additional consideration due to disability, recent discharge, participation in wartime, or service recognition.
When did living American veterans serve? In 2023, over half of living American veterans, over 8.4 million, had served during one of two Gulf Wars — first between August 1990 and August 2001 (3.9 million), then between September 2001 and later (4.4 million). One-third of living veterans, more than 5.2 million, served in Vietnam. The bureau also reports about 638,800 living veterans who served in the Korean War or World War II.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of American veterans? In 2023, 74.1% of living veterans identified as white. In 2023, Black Americans were the second largest veteran racial group (12.6%), while 8.6% of veterans were Hispanic or Latino Americans ethnicity. Meanwhile, 7.5% of living veterans identified as two or more races. The racial and ethnic makeup of the veteran population differs from the country as a whole. Combined, white and Black Americans are 74.7% of the US population but 86.7% of the veteran population. Meanwhile, Asian Americans (6.2% of the US population) are underrepresented among veterans (2.0%).
How old are US veterans? The veteran population is aging. In 2023, almost half of veterans (49.0%) were 65 or older, while 27.9% were 75 or older; in 2013, 47.3% were 65 and older. 8.3% of veterans in 2023 were 34 or older.
What is the share of veterans by gender? More than one in 10 living veterans are women. Women veterans have steadily increased over the past decade — in 2010, 7.2% of veterans were women, compared to 10.9% in 2023. (The Census Bureau does not provide data on the number of transgender or nonbinary veterans.)
How has the education status of the veteran population changed? Veterans’ education levels have also shifted. 69.1% of veterans in 2023 had at least some college experience, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree or higher. In 2010, the rate of veterans with some college was 62.0%, up 7.1 percentage points.

The earth moved… Tuned to the motion of the ocean? Are you aware of the shifting sands of time?  Are feet firmly planted on the ground? Well then, you’ll want to be a part of the “Felt Report – Tell Us!” team!  Did you feel it? Your location when the earthquake occurred? You can use a map to input and/or verify your location.  https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us6000q41n/tellus

6.5 magnitude – south of the Fiji Islands, 2025-04-13 16:03:22 (UTC-04:00), Location 26.029°S 178.321°W, Depth 271.0 km

  • The US and Fiji have a history of military cooperation, including the Foreign Military Financing for Fijian military modernization and the International Military Education and Training program.
  • The US and Fiji have been working to strengthen their military ties, including joint training and deployments.
  • The Fijian Military Forces, initially formed under New Zealand command, served alongside US forces in combat operations in the Pacific in WWII.

6.1 magnitude – 105 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea, 2025-04-12 03:47:09 (UTC), 4.691°S 153.154°E, 62.0 km depth

§  During WWII, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, played a key role in the New Guinea campaign, including the Kokoda Track campaign. 

§  The US Navy built Milne Bay naval base, which was a major base for the US Navy in the New Guinea campaign. The U.S. and Papua New Guinea have a shared history, including WWII battles like the Coral Sea, Milne Bay, and the Kokoda Trail. 

§  The U.S. and Papua New Guinea continue to work together on various issues, including defense, security, and economic development. 

 

5.9 magnitude – northwest of the Kuril Islands, 2025-04-13 09:13:33 (UTC), 48.706°N 149.779°E, 382.3 km depth

  • The Kuril Islands dispute, primarily between Russia and Japan, has a complex military history, significantly impacting the Cold War and beyond. While the US has not directly participated in military actions, it has advised against Russia’s actions.
  • At the end of WWII, the Soviet Union seized the Kuril Islands, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and Habomai. US adopted a policy of supporting Japan’s claims to the islands, encouraging Japan to remain within the Western sphere.
  • Russia has deployed significant military forces, including coastal defense missile systems, on the Kuril Islands. The US has responded to Russia’s actions by re-emphasizing its support for Japan’s position and urging a peaceful resolution of the dispute.

 

5.8 magnitude – 25 km E of Rasht, Tajikistan, 2025-04-13 04:24:01 (UTC), 39.014°N 70.663°E, 12.6 km depth

  • Tajikistan is a significant country in Central Asia by virtue of its geographic location bordering China and Afghanistan and its ample water and other resources, but it faces ethnic and clan schisms, deep poverty, poor governance, and other severe challenges.
  • The United States and Tajikistan have a history of military cooperation, particularly since the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan following 9/11. This includes joint training exercises, military-to-military engagements, and providing security sector assistance to Tajikistan.

 

5.5 magnitude – 34 km NNE of Meiktila, Burma (Myanmar), 2025-04-13 02:24:57 (UTC), 21.154°N 96.006°E, 7.7 km depth

  • During the Burma Campaign of World War II, the Allied forces, including the US, were heavily involved in capturing Meiktila, a key Japanese supply base and airfield in Central Burma.
  • C-47 Dakota transports from the US 1st Air Commando Group were vital in providing crucial supplies to the defending forces.
3.5 magnitude earthquake, 18 km NNW of Whites City, New Mexico, The White Sands Missile Range, Time 2025-04-13 16:03:22 (UTC-04:00) Location 26.029°S 178.321°W Depth 271.0 km
  •  U.S. Army installation serves as a critical testing and training ground for military/national security initiatives. 
  • The range supports the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force, as well as commercial and international users on a reimbursable basis.
  • This is the largest military installation in the US and the DOD’s largest fully instrumented open-air range, conducting missile testing, flight testing, and special operations training.
We have plans to extend our career opportunities and news network in 2025. A brief subscriber survey is headed your way soon. We have received requests for new mediums, partnerships with news outlets, defense-oriented associations, SME content for articles, videos/photography, threads, blogs, and podcasts, and virtual/live networking events. 
Ahoy me Hearties! Piracy report…
  • Sitrep: 14.04.2025: 0230 UTC: Posn: 06:21.40N – 010:52.64W, Monrovia Anchorage, Liberia. The crew onboard an anchored product tanker spotted a pirate on the poop deck. They immediately raised the alarm, sounded the ship’s whistle continuously, made a PA announcement, and mustered the crew. A thorough search of the tanker was conducted, but nothing was reported as stolen. The incident was reported to MRCC Monrovia.
  • Sitrep::03.2025: 1730 UTC: Posn: 01:07.48N – 103:45.54E, Singapore Straits. The duty crew onboard a bulk carrier underway noticed armed pirates and raised the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, the pirates escaped without stealing anything. Authorities were notified, and the Coast Guard escorted the ship to pilot boarding point and conducted an investigation.
  • Sitrep::04.2025: 0145 UTC: Posn: 05:13.54N – 004:03.17W, Abidjan Anchorage, Ivory Coast. A small boat approached an anchored container ship. Crew members noticed a pirate attempting to gain access via the anchor cable. The alarm was raised, resulting in the pirate aborting boarding.
  • Sitrep::04.2025: 2345 UTC: Posn: 01:08.99N – 103:28.49E, Singapore Straits. Duty crew onboard a tanker underway noticed three pirates escaping into a small boat. Alarm raised and crew mustered. A search was carried out. Ship’s equipment identified as stolen. The incident reported to Johor VTIS. Singapore Coast Guard boarded the vessel for inspection.
  • If “the game is afoot” … Download and fill out an official Piracy Report at: https://icc-ccs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/piracy-reporting-form-2.pdf
If you have time, send DefCON-1 to a few more of your friends/enemies, coworkers/competitors, customers/partners, and relatives you love/tolerate to enjoy. Suggest they consider joining our network. It’s FREE. Send an email to MLM at mlmmarcomms@gmail.com    
Btw, these people are also doing outstanding work… Objective Zero Foundation
 Objective Zero Foundation is a veteran tech nonprofit that seeks to prevent suicide through social connectedness and access to mental health and wellness resources through a mobile app. The Objective Zero App is free for veterans, service members, their family, and caregivers. We connect users to a nationwide network of peer support through text, voice and video chat. Our Mission: Combating military and veteran suicide through a connected community of peer support and access to mental health and wellness resources, powered by technology.
https://www.objectivezero.org/
AND THEY ARE LOOKING TO HIRE SOME GREAT PEOPLE:  https://www.objectivezero.org/volunteer
  • State Director, the link between Objective Zero HQ and regional volunteers, overseeing the core of Objective Zero’s decentralized, nationwide operations.
  • Regional Director, assist Objective Zero and State Directors in recruiting volunteers in their given geographic area.
  • General Volunteers, don’t see a position that matches your skills or interests? We’re always looking for individuals willing to share their time and expertise to support our mission, outreach, fundraising, and development!
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