NatSec@Work - National Security Workforce - September Issue

CONTENTS

Leadership Lessons and Highlights Profiles in Leadership: The Next Revolution with Ellen McCarthy With a career that spans over three decades in the national security and intelligence communities, Ellen McCarthy is typically been there, done that, and has the proverbial T-shirt. On Character: Gen Stanley McChrystal on Leadership, Community and the Workforce In On Character, retired General Stan McChrystal distills decades of battlefield leadership and boardroom experience into a reflection on the moral compass that guides effective leaders. Career Advice Your Fall Career Check-In : Moves to Make to Make Before the End of the Year There’s something about fall that signals a shift. The weather might be changing but our mindset does a little too. Reflect on Your Career with These 5 Journal Prompts Taking time to assess where you are, what excites you, and where you want to go is essential for growth and clarity. Lifestyle Mission-Ready Mind and Body: A Fall Wellness Guide for the National Security Workforce Let the algorithms sweat the details so you don’t have to. For tactical professionals, veterans, and cleared workers, it’s the perfect time to sharpen both body and mind. Recharge Your Mission Clarity with A Weekend Reset You don’t need a full-on wellness retreat to feel more grounded. Sometimes, all it takes is a weekend reset.

Message from the Editor Team on a Mission Workforce Trends

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Global Conflict and The Changing Warfighter: How Defense Contractor Hiring Is Evolving Global friction is reconfiguring how Western contractors staff up, especially across shipbuilding, cyber, logistics, and drones. The True Scale of U.S. National Security: Inside the Defense and Intelligence Community When we think about national security, we often picture soldiers in uniform, agents in dark suits, or satellites tracking threats from space…and they all exist. Security Clearance Updates Why Clearance Reciprocity Still Isn’t Working—and What the GAO Report Reveals Clearance reciprocity, or the lack of it, continues to plague both government agencies and the professionals who serve them. Security Clearance Reciprocity: 7 Reasons Your Clearance Might Not Transfer Security clearance reciprocity is a government policy that allows security clearance holders to move between government agencies without undergoing redundant security clearance investigations.

Military Transition Your Military Exit Playbook: Top Programs Every Service Member Needs to Know Leaving the military can feel overwhelming. For one thing, it is a big change to leave the service and find a role in a new company. Maximizing Your GI Bill Benefits This Year As we get ready to enter a new year, military members who will be separating soon and veterans alike might be thinking about how to best use their GI Bill benefits in 2025 and beyond. Contract Highlights Rheinmetall Opening New U.S. Hub and Other Global Defense Leaders Growing in Virginia It was announced earlier this month that German automotive and arms manufacturer Rheinmetall AG will invest in a new U.S. hub in Fairfax County. Defense Industry on the Move: Investments, Innovations and Strategic Wins From Army Contract to Interest Rates: The Forces Moving PLTR Stock Palantir (PLTR) has had powerful catalysts on both the positive and negative side, providing reasons for the ups and downs for PLTR stock. Stay in the Know Voices of the Mission

Advance Your Future with Amentum Join Amentum’s Intelligence & Cyber team—where innovation meets impact. With more than 53,000 employees in approximately 80 countries, Amentum is proud to be the #1 Military Friendly® Employer and a leader in national security. We harness the power of AI, machine learning, and cutting-edge cybersecurity to protect what matters most. We deliver innovative solutions in mission-driven environments, and your skills are an essential part of our shared success. Take the next step and advance your future with Amentum.

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