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JEDI: A Job Opportunity For Those Leaving Military Service
The data of the United States armed forces has been unprotected for too long.
The government will soon be adopting cloud technology as part of the federal government’s 2018 plan to update its IT system.
For those who are not in the world of tech, the Information Technology (IT) team of any organization is the department that collects, stores, processes, and protects a company’s data.
The tasks of a good IT defense system include:
The way our government’s IT upgrade is to be funded is a project called the JEDI initiative, or the JEDI contract. Between 2018 and late 2019, JEDI was basically a competition between traditional defense contractors and commercial IT organizations such as Amazon and Google. The goal of this $10 billion competition is to provide the armed forces with cloud infrastructure to host and distribute mission-critical information to operators around the globe.
In October of 2019, the Pentagon selected Microsoft as the winner of the major contract. Amazon was initially the favorite to win, but the executive office intervened after the president looked into the contract.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) was the original frontrunner in JEDI. Any former military service members with IT experience should consider applying to AWS if they are looking for a reliable and well-paid job in technology.
Amazon was the first stop made by then-Defense Secretary James Mattis, who was the first to order the Department of Defense to create space for JEDI in the budget. This came after Hilary Clinton’s email scandal, when the federal government was preoccupied with the impending need for the government to establish cyber national security. One of the ways government has achieved that since then has been the use of a cloud access security broker.
Since the Pentagon chose Microsoft for JEDI, Amazon has launched a lawsuit against the federal government claiming that the Pentagon’s evaluation contained “clear deficiencies, errors, and unmistakable bias.”
The reason why Amazon has made this claim is because it says that Trump viewed Amazon Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos as a “political enemy.”
The Project on Government Oversight, a watchdog advocacy group, says that improper influence by the president and a inappropriate refusal to participate in the inspector general’s investigation by the White House has led to a “$10 billion mess.”
If you find yourself looking for a job after military service and you have tech training, you would have an advantage if you apply to become of the 151,000 people Microsoft employees.
Microsoft has now beaten out all competitors, both defense contractors and commercial providers. It is tasked with the overhaul of the DoD’s IT infrastructure. The existing system was notoriously easy to penetrate and must be fortified with upgraded cyber defenses and strong encryption.
The main innovations out of silicon valley in the last few years include artificial intelligence and machine learning. These are some of the mechanisms which must now be applied to our national defense.
JEDI also includes funds for tactical devices which are described in the contract as “ruggedized, durable, and portable compute and storage.” The Pentagon states it needs its devices from Microsoft to be battle-worthy for the “full range of military operations.”
The goal of JEDI is to deploy “the most innovative and secure commercially available technology to satisfy the urgent and critical needs of today’s warfighters,” says Toni Townes-Whitley, Microsoft’s president of U.S Regulated Industries.
The fast-moving technological world we live in has the potential to disrupt every single industry on the planet. This has already been seen in everything from oil drilling to air travel. The fuel for these powerful exponential changes is data. It all comes down to data. Having secure information storage systems to protect records, accounts, and project management is especially essential when combatant’s lives are on the line.
Since roughly 2018, the American government has been working on becoming impervious to attack by upgrading our IT. Good IT practices not only give users better remote access and greater safety, but they also let us get more done.
If you want to bring your tech skills to civilian life, working with Microsoft or Amazon are good options.
IT is valuable no matter where you go. It is a way to cut bureaucracy in the government and a way to whip companies into faster, more effective action.
The Importance of PTSD Awareness Month
contributed by Melissa Lucas, Senior Staff Writer
The goal of PTSD Awareness Month is to “raise public awareness about issues related to PTSD, reduce the stigma associated with PTSD, and ensure that those suffering from the invisible wounds of war receive proper treatment.” S RES 481
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is psychological condition triggered by a traumatic event. Usually this trauma involves witnessing or experiencing the threat of injury or death.
PTSD has been plaguing trauma victims forever. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s that the disorder became widely recognized. That is when the term “shell shock” was used to describe the psychiatric symptoms often experienced by veterans of World War I.
In the years since, terms describing these symptoms have evolved. In 1980, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder became an officially recognized diagnosis within the medical community.
In 2010 Senator Kent Conrad advocated for an official PTSD Awareness Day. This was in response to the suicide of Staff Sergeant Joe Biel in 2007. Not long after, Biel’s birthday (June 27th), was selected as the official PTSD Awareness Day.
In 2014, the Senate passed Resolution 481, which officially declared June as National PTSD Awareness Month.
Nearly 20% of those who experience a trauma will develop PTSD. At this time, it is estimated that 7 million Americans have been diagnosed with the disorder. Since many PTSD sufferers do not seek professional help, it is likely that the actual numbers are significantly higher.
During a traumatic experience, the sympathetic nervous system releases adrenaline and other stress hormones. These hormones make it easier to fight or flee. Pupils dilate, resulting in improved visual acuity. Heart rate increases, flooding the circulatory system with additional oxygen. Blood flow is directed towards large muscles, providing a few moments of extra strength and speed.
Once the threat passes, a separate set of hormones is released that return everything to normal. Senses dull, heart rate slows, blood is again directed towards internal organs.
PTSD symptoms develop when stress hormones remain present for longer than normal. In this case, the body is unable to return to baseline. Human physiology is simply not equipped to withstand a heighted level of arousal for long periods of time.
So given the exact same trauma, what causes one person develop PTSD while another does not? At this time, the specific mechanism that prevents some people from “coming down” is not clearly understood. However, it seems likely that there are several physiological factors at play.
Scientists continue research to determine who is at greatest risk of PTSD. Extensions of these findings may eventually aid in the creation of both PTSD treatment as well as interventions which prevent or reduce the severity of PTSD symptoms before they occur.
The official PTSD definition can be a little misleading with its reference to the threat of injury or death. This is because the way a person perceives a traumatic situation determines whether they are at risk for developing PTSD. Meaning, it doesn’t matter whether a person’s life was actually at risk. It matters whether they believe it was.
Any and all types of trauma have the potential to cause PTSD, but several types of trauma are more likely to lead to a PTSD diagnosis than others. These include:
The early signs of PTSD can be easy to miss. Learning how to help someone with PTSD, or even simply identify symptoms, begins with recognition. This is why PTSD Awareness Month is so vital to the mental health of veterans and civilians alike.
Symptoms of PTSD generally develop within three months of a traumatic event. There are several types of PTSD symptoms, most of which fall into one of four categories.
This can come in many forms including flashbacks, repeated memories or nightmares, even adverse reactions to events which remind a person of their trauma.
Avoidance may mean general detachment, but often describes an inability to remember all or part of the traumatic event. It can also mean avoiding circumstances which elicit memories of the event itself.
Someone who struggles with altered arousal might startle easily, find it difficult to concentrate, experience outbursts of anger, or remain hypervigilant at all times.
Depressed mood and persistent guilt are common among PTSD sufferers. Mood alterations may result in social withdrawal and can have a negative impact on day-to-day functions.
Along with psychological symptoms, there are a few physical PTSD symptoms to be aware of as well:
There are several factors involved in diagnosing PTSD. Criteria include the type of symptoms, how long they’ve been going on, and their overall impact. Only a doctor can provide an official diagnosis, so it’s important to discuss all PTSD symptoms with a healthcare professional.
Treatment is available, even for those who have been living with PTSD for years. Of course, the first step to treating PTSD is receiving an accurate diagnosis.
It is important that trauma survivors manage their feelings and emotional experiences. Counselling, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) all have their place in an effective PTSD treatment plan.
Medications can be used to manage PTSD symptoms, too. Most fall into the category of anti-depressant or anti-anxiety prescription drugs. It’s important to note that every person responds differently to medications. Patience is key, as it can take a bit of trial and error to develop an effective drug protocol.
It’s no secret that physical activity can improve the quality of life for those who live with a psychological disorder. Movement helps the body produce anti-depressant and anti-stress hormones. For this reason, physical activity is especially helpful for PTSD patients.
While the symptoms of PTSD in veterans don’t differ from those in civilians, military personnel are much more likely to develop PTSD in general. Veterans who were stationed in combat zones, were injured in the line of duty, or who had tours longer than one year are more likely to develop PTSD.
By destigmatizing the disorder and bringing awareness to its symptoms, PTSD Awareness Month aims to ensure that our service men and women who suffer from PTSD have effective support systems and treatment options available.
If you believe you or someone you know may be suffering with PTSD, it is important to seek professional medical help. In addition, the following resources may be of value:
The Fisher House Foundation: A Home Away from Home
contributed by Liz Zaczek, Senior Staff Writer
As we quickly approach the Memorial Day weekend, the weekend where we remember and honor our country’s heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country and protecting our freedom, past and present.
Our nation’s fallen service members are given the Dignified Transfer bringing them to Dover Air Force base. The families of these fallen heros have the opportunity to be part of this solemn moment and witness the transfer. As it is the commitment of our military to bring these heros home and honor them as expediently as possible, often these families quickly pack and travel great distances to be there for these often early morning ceremonies not having time nor the energy to fully plan out the details of where to stay and eat once they’ve arrived…enter The Fisher House Foundation and specifically, the Fisher House for the Families of the Fallen.
Nearing its 10th anniversary of being a home away from home for these families the Fisher House allows these families to have one less thing to worry about during their stay. Just one of 87 Fisher Houses around the country and Europe, the foundation’s mission is to care for the families of our nation’s service members during times of medical crisis. The Fisher House for the Families of the Fallen is located within the Campus for Families of the Fallen at Dover Airforce Base. This House opens its doors to the grieving families giving them a warm, inviting and comfortable personable place to stay for free while at the base. The typical stay at this particular house is far shorter than many of the foundation’s other locations but that doesn’t mean it lacks a sense of warmth and community that is clearly present throughout the Fisher Houses. Even during solemn times, life’s more heartwarming moments still happen.
During an interview with TSgt Michelle Johnson, current manager of the Dover location, she shared the story of a family with young children staying at the house near Halloween. Despite the reason for being there, the mother wanted her two children to have some fun at the holiday. The staff, volunteers and the surrounding community pulled together to provide costumes and trick-or-treating fun for the children. Kenneth Fisher, Chairman and CEO of the Fisher Foundation, expressed that while the House at Dover is a place dedicated to comfort and compassion during such a solemn and hard time for these families that moments of reunion and in some cases, first meetings of grandchildren and nieces and nephews happen at this location in extremely life affirming and heartwarming ways.
I had the absolute privilege of speaking with Kenneth Fisher, Chairman and CEO, on all things Fisher House Foundation as part of this piece. He was more than excited to share and remind me that while we are in the midst of facing a challenging time as a nation and global community that the mission of the Fisher House Foundation remains the same and is just as strong and important as ever. Operating 87 Fisher Houses throughout the USA and Europe, 30 years strong, these houses warmly welcome the families of our nation’s service members and veterans facing medical crises. Strategically located close to military and veteran medical facilities, they open their doors to provide the families a warm, inviting and personal space to stay. They provide a sense of community and home rather than an impersonal hotel room. The stay and meals are free to these families while their loved one is receiving care.
Even during this time where the buzz words are “social distance” the Fisher House is still receiving families with open, albeit somewhat different, arms. The foundation has swiftly adapted to the current climate making sure both the families staying with them and their own staff and volunteers stay healthy and safe. While these “Homes Away from Home” feature communal areas and normally provide home cooked meals served around a dining room table, right now families are given gift cards for local restaurants but are encouraged to still be part of the community and family environment the Fisher House prides itself on providing. While families might not be able to physically be in the hospital with their loved ones, devices such as Facebook Portals have been installed in rooms both in the medical centers and at the Fisher House locations allowing families to keep in touch easily throughout their stay. Several locations have even gone so far as to welcome first responders and medical center employees to a place to stay while they are displaced from their own homes.
The Fisher House Foundation thrives with help from the local community and support from around the country. Easy ways to help the Fisher House Foundation and the families they serve include donation programs for air miles, Hero Miles, and hotel reward points, Hotels for Heros. Individual Fisher Houses are accepting gift card donations to restaurants in their areas to give to the visiting residents. For more ways to give visit: https://fisherhouse.org/ways-to-give/.
At the end of our conversation, I asked Ken to share any words of wisdom or reminders to our military, veterans and their families along with all our readers as we navigate our day to day.. As expected, his words don’t disappoint. ”It is unbelievable to think that there are men and women serving our country at risk not just from combat, but additionally, from this virus just as we all are. To them and to us all, stay strong, stay safe, make sure your family is safe, listen to what you are being told, don’t deviate, no matter what we are going through the people of the USA are very conscious of your sacrifice and we are still here today to support and honor you.”
To learn more about the absolutely amazing mission of The Fisher House Foundation and ways to help them thrive in their mission, visit their website at https://fisherhouse.org/.
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