Michele Winn’s Post

For those still serving on Active Duty, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of continuous learning and certification. The DoD Credentialling Opportunities Online (COOL) program offers a pathway for both service members and DoD civilians to advance their skills within their profession. For our military personnel, tailored funding supports this journey: Army and Navy COOL programs provide $4,000 annually, the Air Force offers a $4,500 lifetime cap, and the Marines and Coast Guard each offer $4,000 annually, facilitating a culture of continuous improvement and readiness. Expanding this, the DoD Civilian COOL program bridges the gap for civilian personnel, offering resources to gain certifications vital for fulfilling critical roles within the Defense Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF) and enhancing our collective defense capabilities. This initiative not only underscores the commitment to professional development but also strengthens our national security posture by ensuring that our civilian workforce is equally equipped to meet evolving cyber threats. These programs underscore a strategic investment in our defense infrastructure—arming both uniformed and civilian members of the DoD community with the knowledge and certifications necessary to navigate the complexities of modern warfare and cybersecurity. Embracing these opportunities, we can enhance one's career trajectories and make a tangible contribution to our nation's security. Leverage these resources for you and your troops professional growth and to help fortify our national defense. #DoDCOOL #CyberDefense https://www.cool.osd.mil/

💡 Did you know: The Global Counter-Insider Threat Program (GCITP) is an authorized certification under the DoD COOL program for both Military and Civilian employees! The Department of Defense Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) program offers funding for specific, approved certifications and training programs. 🔎 What does this mean? Civilians of the DoD, as well as Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsman can apply for funding through their agency/education office for the GCITP certification. (Note: Currently, Air Force COOL does not offer funding for the GCITP program; however, that is subject to change in the future.) ⭐ What’s in it for you? The DoD COOL program can provide funding for you to take the certification exam at no-cost! This gives you an opportunity to obtain a one-of-a-kind certification for Counter-Insider Threat and Risk Mitigation. Want to learn more about the DoD COOL program? Head to https://lnkd.in/giDBftSk for more information. Interested in getting started with the GCITP Certification? Visit https://gcitp.umd.edu/ for more information. -- #InsiderThreat #ProfessionalDevelopment #RiskManagement #CyberSecurity #CertificationProgram #GCITP #CareerGrowth #SecurityManagement #InsiderThreatMitigation #DataProtection #InformationSecurity

Exciting News for Our Military Community! We are thrilled to share that SkillStorm has been selected by the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) to join the Transition Assistance Program Employment Navigator and Partnership Program (ENPP)! This partnership enables Employment Navigators at 37 military installations to refer transitioning service members and military spouses to SkillStorm’s top-tier tech hiring and certification programs. Our mission is to support service members in their final two years of service, helping them avoid underemployment and prepare for successful careers in IT, cybersecurity, and software development. Here’s what this means: ✅ No-cost tech training and certifications for service members through Techforce by Design, SkillBridge, VET TEC, and COOL. ✅ Scholarship support for military spouses via MyCAA. “For too long, unemployment and underemployment have plagued veterans and their spouses, disrupting their economic stability and undermining their career potential,” said retired Lieutenant Colonel John Tansill, Director of Veteran Affairs at SkillStorm. “We’re addressing these challenges head-on by delivering the tech training and certifications most desired by employers to the military community at no cost, equipping them with the skills needed to secure stable, rewarding careers post-separation.” Learn more about SkillStorm’s offerings with ENPP and see a full list of our military programs below. #Veterans #MilitarySpouses #TechTraining #CareerTransition #SkillStorm #USDepartmentofLabor #VeteranEmployment #Cybersecurity #SoftwareDevelopment

🛡️ Army Gen. Paul Nakasone emphasizes the importance of enhancing U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM). 🔄 He calls for addressing the rapid rotation of military forces in and out of CYBERCOM, advocating for consistent engagement and longer "dwell time" for personnel in the cyber domain. 💪 Nakasone envisions a "bold move forward" to strengthen CYBERCOM's capabilities. ⚓ Stabilizing personnel movement is crucial for future improvements and maintaining an experienced workforce. 📖 Learn more about Gen. Nakasone's perspective in the informative Federal News Network article. #CYBERCOM #Nakasone [Link to article]

#Digitalization continues to change the way we do things - and that is no different for our military. To gain battlefield advantage, the Army and Department of Defense are looking at ways to integrate smart and #WearableTechnology into elements of the field and garrison equipment. 💻 #Cybersecurity is one of many solutions our Black & Veatch experts deliver for our clients. While new digital tools bring value, to best protect our troops we must understand the vulnerabilities they create. In this Army Engineer article, our Black & Veatch - Federal Government Team discusses how to protect our forces against #CyberThreats. Turn to page 28 in the Fall 2023 Edition⬇ (https://lnkd.in/eKJ3ZE6S)

As a person who wants to help those in transition, I consider Daniel Collins, MBA, PMP as a real thought leader with his LinkedIn posts. With his permission, I took one of his recent articles and converted it into a four-part series on transition strategy for the The Military Transition Resources and Calendar website (www.miltrac.org) transition resources section. You can find the article in the comments below, along with the website's flyer.

Army Futures Command, General James E. Rainey, shared the US Army priorities for continuous transformation over the next few years, with specific focus areas for each period. The Army's main focus is on transforming and adapting faster to look at the world and deliver better results. This includes experimenting and learning through "Wargaming." The Army is also focusing on infrastructure as a service, with Project Convergence being a key part of deliberate transformation. Army Futures Command is eager to partner with the Army in experiments, including cyberwarfare exercises, electromagnetic adjustments, and adapting to new capabilities and sustainable endurance in a contest of war. General Rainey also mentioned the importance of reimagining the role of an integrator to pull together a team with the best capabilities from multiple companies to avoid vendor lock-in to deliver greater capability to the warfighter, faster and continuously, without losing critical oversight. It's exciting to see the Army's dedication to innovation and improvement over the coming years. We look forward to seeing these priorities come to fruition and the impact they will have on our national defense. #ausaglobal #AUSA #ARMY #SOLDIERS #DefenseIndustrialBase #AMC #AFC #AMCOM #veteranshelpingveterans #sdvosb #icscybersecurity #otcybersecurity #BeAllYouCanBe

When you think of soldiers, what comes to mind? For me, it's courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. These qualities define our brave military forces, who defend our nation with unparalleled dedication. Growing up, I was always in awe of our soldiers. Their bravery and dedication inspired me deeply. As I pursued my career in IT, I often wondered how I could contribute to their mission. Today, I am proud to leverage my skills to support our armed forces through technology. Technology is a force multiplier, and IT plays a critical role in enhancing military capabilities. From real-time communication systems that ensure seamless coordination to robust cybersecurity measures that protect sensitive data, technology ensures the safety and efficiency of defense operations. Advanced data analytics provide strategic insights, while VR and simulation technologies offer realistic training environments without risks. Streamlined logistics applications ensure our troops get the resources they need, no matter where they are. As an IT professional, I am passionate about these innovations. I believe software developers can significantly enhance military effectiveness and safety. Supporting our troops is a shared responsibility. Whether it's through direct contributions, volunteering, or applying our professional skills, every effort counts in honoring our heroes. Let's continue to innovate and collaborate to ensure our military is well-equipped for any challenge. Jai Hind! #IndianMilitary #ITSolutions #DefenseTech #Innovation #SupportOurTroops #Veterans #CSR #CommunityService #IndianArmy #JaiHind #SupportOurTroops #IndianNavy #IndianAirForce #BharatMataKiJai #IndianArmedForces #ITinMilitary

#Free resources and training for #veterans, #nationalguard, #transitioningmilitary, and #militaryspouses. I'm helping some Air National Guard folks looking to #breakintotech and thought I'd share these with the rest of my network as well. If anyone in my network has other great resources to help them and others, please do share in the comments. 𝐎𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: free career training program that provides professional certification and job placement support to transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.  https://lnkd.in/ei7ZgTnP #𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐍𝐨𝐰𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦: fantastic program I took part in to learn ServiceNow that's open to military, veterans, and military spouses. Fantastic instructors, fully remote, etc. You can sign up for information sessions to learn more here and the flyer is in the image. https://lnkd.in/ePkSKadD. #𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐍𝐨𝐰𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: a must-follow, they provide everything from free access to Coursera to a plethora of other free training courses. Check out this guide, it's loaded with free resources. https://lnkd.in/eha7HZ4G 𝐕𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐄𝐂: if you have at least 1 day of unexpired GI Bill benefits, you can apply to take these free programs and they don't count against your GI Bill. https://lnkd.in/epaZPGyS.

I had the unique opportunity to talk in front of veterans (who turned entrepreneurs) about innovation and how to achieve product market fit. In my presentation I addressed the role of Design Thinking as a mindset when building human-centric products. The need to talk to your customers, understand their tactical and emotional needs, leverage these insights to develop prototypes, and the requirement to test and iterate these prototypes with your users - fast and cheap. One thing I hope what stuck with the team is not to fall in love with the solution, but to fall in love with the problem. #GSB #LEAD #enrepreneurship #venture #dschool #pitching #designthinking #startups #AI #health #security #veterans #innovation