Volume 2, Issue 2
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, and emerging technologies.
Articles of Interest
Iran Strike Operation Epic Fury Underway: Why Has DHS Not Issued an NTAS Alert?
Our CEO Charlie Sowell recently wrote this article for GTSC’s Homeland Security Today. Sowell explains that Iran has a long history of employing indirect and deniable methods, including proxy actors, cyber operations, and clandestine networks, to impose costs on adversaries while avoiding conventional escalation. Despite this heightened threat environment, neither the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) nor the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) has issued public advisories regarding potential homeland threats linked to the operation. Sowell argues that the absence of public counterterrorism warnings during an active international conflict raises serious policy and priority concerns. The idea that such warnings could be suspended during a partial government shutdown undermines public confidence, awareness, and operational readiness.
Army Raises Maximum Enlistment Age to 42
MilitaryTimes reports that the Army has raised the maximum age for eligible recruits to 42. The upper limit of the Army’s previous allowable enlistment age was 35, but waivers were sometimes granted for older enlistees. The Air Force and Navy allow recruits over 40, while the Marine Corps caps enlistment at 28 but allows hopefuls 29 or older to request waivers. Changes highlighted in the memo, which was distributed this week and will go into effect in April, also include the removal of previous enlistment obstacles for recruits who have a single marijuana or drug paraphernalia conviction.
Military Families: DOD Wants Your Input on Quality of Life Improvements
Military families and others have the opportunity over the next month to provide input to defense officials on quality-of-life issues at the state level for service members and their families, reports MilitaryTimes. Defense officials are specifically interested in issues where state governments are the primary agents for positive change & are asking for input on what should be considered for 2028. Submissions are due by April 23. Information on how to submit the input is available in the Federal Register notice. The notice includes information that should be included in each submission.
GSA’s New AI Clause Drives Contractors to Sound the Alarm
The General Services Administration is rolling out the government’s first acquisition regulation clause written specifically for artificial intelligence systems. It sets sweeping new rules on data ownership, licensing, disclosure, and who’s on the hook when AI is used in contract performance, raising red flags across the contracting community. Listen to the full interview on Federal News Network.
Markwayne Mullin Sworn in as DHS Secretary
ExecutiveGov reports that Markwayne Mullin, on Tuesday, was sworn in as the new Department of Homeland Security Secretary during a ceremony at the White House. The Senate on Monday confirmed Mullin, previously a senator from Oklahoma, in a 54-45 vote. President Donald Trump selected Mullin earlier this month, tapping the Oklahoma senator to oversee DHS operations spanning border security, cybersecurity and domestic threat response. Mullin’s confirmation follows the departure of former Secretary Kristi Noem, who was named special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, a role focused on Western Hemisphere security efforts. His appointment, effective March 31, comes as DHS faces a prolonged funding impasse, with the department in a partial shutdown that has lasted more than five weeks amid congressional deadlock.
TSA Crisis Grows, Raising Pressure on Lawmakers to End DHS Shutdown
Congress is facing mounting pressure to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and end the partial government shutdown as flight delays and long security lines are worsening at airports nationwide. Yahoo News reports that President Trump said this past weekend he would deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to airports to help manage the strain. The DHS has been shut down for more than a month, with Democrats refusing to fund the department without immigration enforcement changes and Republicans rejecting those demands. The viral images of security lines at airports are also adding to pressure on lawmakers to reach a deal to fund the DHS.
Upcoming Events and Conferences
2026 Joint NDIA/AIA Spring Industrial Security Conference
5/18/26-5/20/26
Rosen Centre Orlando | Orlando, FL
This biannual conference, presented in partnership with the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), serves as a forum for executive-level security leaders and policymakers across federal agencies and U.S. Industry to convene and address major government security topics. Don’t miss this opportunity for candid discussion, high-level networking, and updates on important subjects.
https://www.ndia.org/events/2026/5/18/isc-spring-2026
NCMS 62nd Annual Training Seminar
6/9/26-6/11/26
Atlanta Marriott Marquis | Atlanta, GA
Get ready for the premier event dedicated to industrial security professionals across government and industry. The NCMS Annual Training Seminar delivers three days of exceptional education, collaboration, and innovation designed to elevate your expertise, expand your network, and empower your career.
2026 Air and Space Summit
7/30/2026
Hilton-McLean | McLean, VA
Air and space defense is a critical component of national security, and it’s increasingly essential in the looming Great Power Competition era. With the increasing sophistication of threats, the need for advanced defense capabilities in the air and space domains has never been more urgent. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Defense Summit will provide invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, helping attendees understand the strategic importance of air and space defense and how to contribute to its advancement.
https://www.potomacofficersclub.com/events/2026-air-and-space-summit
2026 Navy Summit
8/27/2026
Hilton-McLean | McLean VA
The 2026 Navy Summit hosted by the Potomac Officers Club is a premier gathering of naval and maritime leaders to address the most critical challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. Navy. This exclusive event brings together top-tier Navy experts to explore innovative solutions, forge strategic partnerships and shape the future of naval operations. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the latest advancements in technology, policy and strategy as we collectively work to ensure a secure future and a ready naval force.
https://www.potomacofficersclub.com/events/2026-navy-summit
Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2026
9/14/2026 –9/16/2026
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center | Atlanta, GA
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.