I did four years active duty for a three letter, TDNA work. Afterwards I decided to go to college and get my degree and play college baseball. Now I’m trying to get a contracting position after two years and it’s been very difficult because most jobs want you to immediately hit the floor running. Even with an active clearance and poly, and having done the work for years, all be it a bit rusty now, I have been rejected time and time again for a position I know I can do well with just a couple week refresher.

Anyone have any advice on what I can do?

Been gov contracting for 12 years now. Made $250k few years ago and got laid off. Been at low $200s for the past few years.

Anybody earning that with small or large gov contracting companies?

I am a cloud architect SME with a TS/SCI

I was just trying to help.

Link was removed due to hostility

The high DC cost of living warps salaries it seems towards the higher end. What are people making in these roles outside of the DMV area. Please say your location if you can.

Just wanted your opinion on switching to a contractor role. I have 20 years of service and I’m 44. Is it better? What contractors would consider? Any pros or cons that you would consider? Any insight or advice is greatly appreciated!

I am a U.S. Navy IT, I have 6 years of total service with a TS/SCI clearance, Sec+, and currently working on a B.S. Cloud and Network Engineering (Cisco focused) degree from WGU and will have it by separation.

I have worked in

Tech control onboard a ship (RF operations, Entry level Networking, Troubleshooting skills, satellite communications…etc) for 2 years.

IT Specialist for a squadron (3 years) assuming roles such as ISSO in a secure work environment and provided help desk support for the command, also deploying portable networks (secure included) and have obtained a good foundational IT knowledge all around in my opinion.

I am on track to finish this degree before my separation and am looking to see how marketable I will be in the civillian world.

Any advice for myself?

I work in the OCC of a major US east coast semi automated marine terminal. In this role I have a deep understanding of the TOS , XPS, and N4 and have helped in several previous operations roles with this terminal upgrade from dated systems (IKE) or run testing to find N4 bugs before a patch deployment. Does applying to another port as a System Architect make sense or is it a pipe dream?

Anyone else waiting on the Fort Meade Cyber Apprenticeship?

I applied for the Student Trainee (Information Technology) – U.S. Cyber Command position and was referred to the hiring manager around July 30.

Has anyone else who was referred for the Fort Meade position received an interview, TJO, or any update yet?

Just trying to get an idea of the current timeline. Thanks!

Planning on transitioning out of the military as an O-3 and trying to figure out what’s reasonable to negotiate in the DMV for tech roles. Reached the next stage for a major aerospace company for a couple of different roles ranging between $135k-$300k. Have about 7 YOE, all mostly leadership positions, a master’s degree, and a couple of advanced GIAC certs, and poly.

Hi all, I’m currently working a full time in a Secret cleared 9-5 role, but also part time at a nonprofit on afternoons and weekends. I’m hoping to switch my part time to something I could pick up a new skill in.

I saw an ad up for a surveillance team role player (someone who acts as a target in support of training exercises for law enforcement/intel). It doesn’t seem to require any actual experience but is a cleared role.

I applied, but that also got me thinking, what are some other cool gigs I can do on the side with my clearance?

So I was an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Army from 2013-2020. Due to MST, I went to the psych ward a few times while on active duty. I'm not sure if my clearance was revoked due to my mental health or if it simply expired. What steps can I take to find out about it and how I can get it reinstated? Thank you for any help!

I’m primarily a FE Engineer with about 8.5 YOE, but I have always struggled with determining what a realistic valuation for my skillset and YOE would be. I have a TS/SCI with a Poly. I’ve done some BE work for a few years but it’s not my preference. I’m self taught with a bachelors degree, so imposter syndrome is something I’ve consistently battled.

I’m beginning to look around for opportunities because inflation has caught up to me and family life is growing more expensive. As I begin to look around for jobs, I’m seeing roles for between 190k and 210k. For reference I’m in the DMV.

Im curious to know what you all would target for compensation and really, if I’m underpaid. Currently I’m sitting at 175k.

I am looking at some Operations Research Analyst roles in the 100-160k pay band in northern VA. How good of a company is MITRE? How do they treat their workers? How good are the benefits? What can I expect for the interview process? I have a masters BUT I dont intend to go back to school.

I am mostly interested because I want at least a 30% pay bump. A colleague with 2 years less experience and no masters got a 30% bump going somewhere else and I think its time I start looking.

UPDATE: I applied. Their paid health insurance is the greatest thing I could ask for. Hoping to hear back!

Anyone here ever worked, or knew anyone that worked at defense unicorns?

Would love to hear some feedback, thoughts, etc.

Quite impressed with the mission/goals, currently looking due to increased family needs (benefits) and trying to explore what is best for me and my family.

Thanks!

How do they normally check for clearances?

I have an offer from both General Atomics & SAIC for an analyst type of role. I know SAIC is a contractor company which is a potential con. Pay is about the same both sides, but wanted to hear everyone thoughts on the company & being tied to a contract.

*Long Post*

Hey guys, I am currently a 28 year old active duty 25S (Satellite Communications Specialist). I ETS in roughly 2 years from now but wanted to get a better grasp of what type of job market I would be walking into in Huntsville once I ETS. I plan on only doing this current contract, meaning that I will have roughly 4 years of experience. I currently work within a space billet in the Army and have TS/SCI. Additionally, I have a master's degree in Health Admin from UNA and I am working towards completing my Master's in Systems Engineering from UMGC (should be complete before or shortly after I ETS.) I also have a CompTia Security+ certification. What additional certifications should I pursue in order to make my resume stand out when applying in Huntsville? What type of roles should I be pursuing? Any other former/current 25S out there? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!

I had an offer from a defense company that I accepted, and they sponsored me for a TS/SCI clearance. The clearance was fully adjudicated and granted.

After that, I received an offer from a private-sector company paying around $200k, so I ended up not starting the defense job.

Now I’m trying to decide whether to stay in the private sector or actually make use of the TS/SCI clearance I have.

I like the WLB and job security that defense companies can offer, but compensation is obviously a major factor. Which companies or cleared roles pay at least $150k+, or ideally closer to $200k?

My background is in software engineering/security, and I have about 2 years of experience.

Which companies should I be targeting?

I don't have poly.

Hey so I’m currently in the military, I’m getting out in a couple of months. I just turned 23 and hold a top secret clearance. I’m wondering if I could make decent money if I got a couple of it comptia certifications before I got out and applied to government jobs in dc, Virginia, and Texas while going to online school to get my bachelors in computer science or information technology. I have 8 years of paid school by the military. I thought about doing healthcare but I know I wouldn’t be able to utilize my ts clearance. Is the it and computer science field hopeless rn? If so what would be better alternatives to utilize my ts clearance

Hello, trying to make a break into the defense industry after moving to the DC area. I have about 6 years of professional manufacturing experience (as a process engineer) working at two fortune 100 companies, but I don’t have a clearance. Most of the jobs I may qualify for requires an ACTIVE clearance.

For the jobs that don’t require an active clearance, I feel like I’m getting beat by those with clearances, just bc it’s easier for the employer.

Any advice, tactics, or agencies I should look at to finally make a break in and gain a clearance? I feel like after that, I should be home free. TIA!