Volume 1, Issue 8
SE&M Solutions LLC publishes The In-Brief to help keep government and industry leaders aware of important issues in the personnel security, suitability, Trusted Workforce 2.0, background investigations, adjudications, counterintelligence, industrial security communities.
Articles of Interest
Former Navy Chief Sentenced to 18 years on Attempted Espionage Charges
Navy Times reports that a former Navy chief convicted of attempted espionage last month was sentenced to 18 years in a military prison. Former Chief Fire Controlman (Aegis) Bryce Steven Pedicini was found guilty in April of attempted espionage, failure to obey a lawful order, and attempted violation of a lawful general order charge specifications, following a weeklong, judge-only general court-martial. In addition to prison time, Pedicini, formerly assigned to the Japan-based destroyer Higgins, was also given a dishonorable discharge and reduction in rank to E-1.
ODNI Unveils IT Roadmap for Intelligence Community
GovCon Wire reports that Office of the Director of National Intelligence has introduced its inaugural information technology roadmap designed to help the Intelligence Community make transformative decisions about cybersecurity, data analysis, artificial intelligence, cloud and other IT-related matters. The recommendations are classified into five focus areas: fortify the mission with a reliable and resilient digital foundation, assure the mission with robust cybersecurity, enable the mission with modern practices and partnerships, enhance the mission with data-centricity and accelerate the mission with advanced technologies and workforce readiness.
Air Force Security Team Can Breach an ‘Impenetrable’ SCIF in One Minute
Task & Purpose reports that a United States Air Force security team has developed a kit of portable hydraulic breaching tools that they say can break into some of the most secure rooms on most military bases: a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities, or ‘SCIF,’ the steel-and-concrete reinforced bunkers that store the military’s deepest secrets. After five years of tinkering and practice, including building their own SCIF doors to practice on, a team with the 6th Security Forces Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida says they can now break into, or ‘breach,’ a SCIF in less than a minute, should a crisis arise inside one. The tool is powered by a backpack with a battery, motor and pump bar. The hydraulic oil provides power to the tools while the battery provides power to an electric motor for energy.
Ex-Army Sergeant Accused of Attempting to Spy for China Judged Mentally Unfit to Stand Trial
Stars and Stripes reports that a former Army intelligence sergeant at Joint Base Lewis-McChord charged with trying to sell secrets to the Chinese has been judged unfit to stand trial, according to federal court documents. Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 30, was ordered transferred to an unspecified federal psychiatric hospital facility following a May 4 decision by Federal District Judge John C. Coughenour of the U.S. District Court of Western Washington. Under the court order, Schmidt can be held at the psychiatric facility for no more than four months. Government-appointed psychiatric experts will then test the defendant’s mental capacity to stand trial and submit a report to the judge. The report will also be shown to Schmidt, as well as prosecution and defense attorneys.
‘Unconventional’ Demystifies Military Life
“Unconventional” is a Newsweek web series hosted by Navy veteran, former spy and author of “How to Catch a Russian Spy” Naveed Jamali that goes behind the scenes to show viewers the million little details that keep the U.S. military moving with its mission. “It’s geared toward a mom in Kansas City, whose daughter just joined the military. She’s excited and proud, but nervous because she has no idea what to expect for her daughter,” Jamali told Military.com. “Our job is to both humanize these young people in the military and demystify what it’s like to be in the military.”
How Rules are Changing for Defense-Weapons Contractors
Changes are coming to how arms manufacturers do business internationally, thanks to proposed changes in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). In fact, comments are due by the end of May. For details, the Federal Drive with Tom Temin talked with Stephanie Kostro, executive vice president for policy at the Professional Services Council. To listen to the full interview, be sure to check out Federal News Network.
2 People in ICE Custody After Attempting to Breach Virginia Marine Base
The United States Marine Corps prevented two people from breaking onto a Marine installation in Virginia on May 3 and turned them over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The two people drove up to the Fuller Road Gate of Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, in a box truck and were stopped by military sentries. Because the two had no affiliation with the Marine base and no credentials to enter it, military police officers directed them to go to a holding area to undergo standard vetting procedures. But the driver blew past the holding area and attempted to drive onto the base, reports Marine Corps Times.
Military Prosecutors Seek Court-Martial for Discord Leaker
Military Times reports that Jack Teixeira, a Massachusetts Air National Guard member who pleaded guilty in March to federal crimes for leaking highly classified military documents, appeared Tuesday before a military hearing officer who will recommend whether the guardsman should face a court-martial. Teixeira is facing three charges in the military justice system: one alleging he failed to obey a lawful order and two counts of obstructing justice.
Continued Research on MDMA Therapy for Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ top health official on Friday said the agency is prepared to spend “at least in the millions” of dollars on clinical trials of psychedelic therapies, pending an FDA decision on midomafetamine, or MDMA, assisted treatments expected later this year. VA Under Secretary Shereef Elnahal’s comments were delivered to conference attendees, as reported by Military Times. He states, “The moment the FDA approves MDMA … we’re going to see demand for this go through the roof, especially among the veteran population”.
DOD Seeks to Address FOCI Risks for Covered Contractors, Subcontractors with New Directive
Executive Gov reports that the United States Department of Defense has issued a directive to establish policy and assign responsibilities to evaluate and determine whether the ownership of a covered contractor or subcontractor requires the implementation of foreign ownership, control or influence — a.k.a. FOCI — mitigation measures. Milancy Harris, acting undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security, approved the directive, which took effect Monday, May 13. The document outlines the responsibilities of the undersecretaries of defense for intelligence and security and acquisition and sustainment and the directors of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) and the Defense Intelligence Agency, among others.
PTSD and Oral Health Degradation are Correlated
Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health ailments are still without a 100% guarantee of oral coverage, which includes dental care, through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Oral and mental health ailments have been well-researched, correlated, and understood within American healthcare for decades, yet 85% of the approximately 9 million American veterans do not have dental or oral health coverage through the VA. Task & Purpose states that under the existing statute specific to PTSD [Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) §§ 1712 and Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §§ 17.161-166], there is nothing that directs the VA to automatically service connect dental and oral health problems for veterans diagnosed with service-connected mental health ailments like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
VA to Provide Grants for Veteran, Spouse Employment Help
Veterans Affairs officials unveiled a new $4 million grant program designed to help new veterans and their spouses find post-military jobs. The program, announced on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, stems from legislation passed by Congress in 2021 and will offer grants up to $500,000 to organizations “that provide employment-based resources and tools for transitioning service members and spouses.” Those services may include resume writing assistance, interview training, employment placement services, and related help, reports Military Times.
Rob Shriver Named OPM Acting Director
Executive Gov reports that Rob Shriver, an experienced government executive, was tapped to serve as acting director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), where he previously worked as deputy director, according to his LinkedIn post. He will temporarily take over the responsibilities of Kiran Ajuha, the outgoing OPM director whose departure was announced in mid-April.
Upcoming Events and Conferences
NCMS 60th Annual Training Seminar
6/11/2024 – 6/13/2024
Gaylord Opryland | Nashville, TN
This Annual Training Seminar is NCMS’ marquee event, where we bring together the knowledge and talents of our government partners, industry speakers, security vendors, the NCMS Board of Directors, and our sponsors and exhibitors to provide three days of security education focused on your security program. It is our genuine desire that at the end of each day you will have learned something new that enhances your security program, networked with fellow security professionals, received beneficial professional development, and visited the great security vendors we have assembled.
https://ncms-seminar.org/index.php
Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2024
9/23/2024 –9/25/2024
Orange County Convention Center | Orlando, FL
Security threats are evolving and becoming more complex. Elevate your knowledge and technical capabilities at GSX to rise against this shifting landscape. Access expert-led education covering critical physical and cybersecurity topics. Discover state-of-the-art innovations, products, and trends transforming security. Find inspiration in keynotes from next-level thought leaders and world-class speakers. Go where the entire global security community converges to connect, collaborate, and meet tomorrow’s challenges head on.
About SE&M
SE&M Solutions LLC is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Harrisburg, PA. We are experts in personnel security, continuous vetting, Trusted Workforce 2.0 (TW2.0) policies, processes, and information technology. We offer professional services and IT support including staff augmentation, consulting, planning and implementation for clients in the federal, state, local and commercial sectors. For more information, contact SE&M at info@semsolutionsllc.com.