FORCE FOR HIRE — From Grunt to Blackwater, we’re shifting our focus from the broad politics of private military contracting to get a boots-on-the-ground perspective. Joining us is Adam Gonzales, a man who has experienced life as both a traditional soldier and a high-stakes private operator.
In 2003, Gonzales was an Army infantryman serving in a long-range surveillance detachment. Seeking a new path, he took a gamble on a security role with a firm that—at the time—few had heard of: Blackwater.
His transition wasn't easy. At a training facility in North Carolina, the former Army grunt found himself competing for a spot against the elite:
SEALs (including DevGru)
Army Rangers
Force Recon Marines
High Stakes and High Pay
The reward for making the cut was a $15,000 monthly salary, but the mission was one of the most dangerous in the world. Gonzales was tasked with the personal protection of Ambassador Paul Bremer, the head of the Coalition Provisional Authority and the controversial figure who disbanded the Iraqi Army.
ANTARCTICA — The official U.S. Antarctic Program jobs page shows USAP support work through the Antarctic Support Contract (ASC), including transportation, logistics, IT, field ops, and technical roles, with Leidos as the prime contractor handling staffing for the busy austral summer season (~October–February).
Contract listings pulled from public job boards right now include ASC roles for the Summer 2026–27 season, such as food and food services, steward coordination, and airfield/logistics-related jobs — the kind of operational posts that require lead time for onboarding.
And aircraft providers like Kenn Borek Air remain key parts of USAP logistics — their careers page emphasizes seeking experienced air and ground crews for polar operations, underscoring that operators are recruiting ahead of season.
Because USAP deployments are tied to grant cycle and NSF/OPP planning, most activity is centered around the austral summer window when flights, cargo, and projects peak.
Here’s what matters right now if you’re lining up for the next major USAP season — the signals from planning documents, contractor roles, and aircraft/logistics providers are all converging on active hiring and deployment timing that won’t wait. — POC
Two operational realities you’ll see reflected in planning and job posting patterns:
Security and vetting take time. Many ASC/Leidos positions list Public Trust or clearance requirements; the platforms and USAP guidance emphasize comprehensive pre-deployment checks that can stretch weeks to months.
Medical and physical qualifications are mandatory. Antarctica deployments under USAP require an expeditionary medical clearance and often dental checks before travel is authorized — part of the standard “PQ” (pre‑qualification) package.
If you’re aiming to align with the 2026–27 austral summer, now is the window to sharpen applications, line up support documentation, and start the PQ and medical process — because the next big wave of hires is rolling out while planning documents and contractor postings already reflect scheduled deployments.
Let me know if you want the most recent Leidos or ASC job listings right now so you can zero in on openings that match your background.
A NAVFAC Washington construction‑community forum on April 22 brought together program leads and industry reps to highlight near‑term priorities and the offices likely to issue regional task orders (think design, pavements, force‑protection, MEP, civil works). It’s a strong early indicator of where upcoming solicitations will land.
I’m sharing this because recent movement at a Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command forum signals where shore‑infrastructure and base‑support contracting is headed in the next few months—timing that matters if you want to position your team early. — POC
Why this matters:
NAVFAC is the U.S. Navy’s shore infrastructure and expeditionary engineering command, responsible for planning, design, construction, sustainment, and support for Navy/USMC facilities worldwide.
Forums like this often seed task orders within about 30–120 days after the event—a window when industry teaming and capability statements gain traction before solicitations hit.
Tailoring a crisp one‑page capability statement around the technical areas discussed can help you connect early with relevant NAVFAC POCs.
If you want opportunities from these emerging regional task orders, setting up outreach now — ahead of public solicitations — can put you in the early grouping rather than reacting later.
