Big Bucks

I live in a place where the Armed Services make up a majority of the population. There are seven military installations within a 30-mile radius, one of them being the largest naval shipyard in the world.

I love it because I am a fan of all things that defend America, fight for freedom and show a love of country.

The state of Virginia really loves it because all those people, jobs and support staff mean money.
Last year, more than $12 billion in contracts fed the region and helped make Virginia the No. 2 state for defense spending.

According to the Virginian-Pilot, BAE Systems, one of the world’s largest defense contractors, is one of thousands of such firms operating in Hampton Roads. The region is so thick with contractors it is known by some as “Pentagon South.”

With that much money rolling through the area, it is easy to see why military personnel who retire in the area stick around. The area is ripe with jobs tailored for those with experience in everything from flying jets to those who run submarine control stations.

Even though in the last two years, spending has dropped by almost a billion, there is still progress. The job market is a little tighter and the competition is a little stiffer, but there is still plenty to go around.

Even though the region is unique in its features, the basic premise of success is still the same. Take plenty of hard working people, find a demand, and create solutions.

This is the recipe that drove my father to success. He joined the Army, rose through the ranks and retired after 24 years. He used his military experience to land a job with a large defense contractor. He has been working in that field helping current soldiers and sailors in his current line of work for almost three decades. It was his hard work and dedication that drove me to explore the government contracting world. The underbelly of the federal government is supported by small and large businesses that provide the necessities to run the country.

I love this concept. There might be big business or big bucks involved, but the bottom line is people are making it happen. It is not one multimillionaire creating software to run computers, its people sitting at home, doing daily commutes and raising families making all this happen.
It helps me remember as I shift though hundreds of pages of government speak, documents filled with passive voice and run on sentences that it might not be New York Times best seller material, but it helps the country function.

I’m glad to be a part of that.

Staci Dennis lives in Norfolk, VA, is married to Eric, who is awesome, and has a fat cat and two cute Puggles. She has been published in various newspapers and magazines across the nation, and worked as a reporter for 12 years. She is a contributor for Nexxt and ArmedServicesjobs. You can read more of her blogs on ArmedServicesjobs blog.