"The Pentagon Is Dismantling Its Own Arctic Defense" Topic

"The Pentagon is quietly dismantling support for Alaska Native Corporations — the organizations that operate our Arctic defense infrastructure, control critical mineral supplies, and are essential to competing with China – maybe not intentional but as the result of unintended consequences.

I spent years working with ANCs as a Navy SEAL and USG Contractor. These aren't feel-good diversity initiatives. They're the backbone of American Arctic operations. ANCs operate radar and missile systems throughout the region, control over five million acres of oil-rich land, and manage some of the world's largest rare earth mineral deposits. When the Department of War prioritizes competition with China, it's betting on domestic mineral supply chains. ANCs are central to that bet.

ANCs became eligible for 8(a) Small Business Administration funding through a legislation in 1986, as well as the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, which classifies them as political entities, not racial groups. This distinction matters. The SBA treats them this way precisely because the Act left Alaska Natives structurally disadvantaged in land and resources. The 8(a) program was designed to correct that imbalance.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly committed to taking a "sledgehammer" to the 8(a) program as part of a broader anti-DEI initiative. The result has been catastrophic for readiness: there's been a 97% reduction in new ANC certifications. Simultaneously, the SBA has centralized annual review authority, creating a bureaucratic bottleneck at exactly the moment the Pentagon needs these contractors most…"

link

Armand

They might keep their jobs after investigation.

But nothing happens in vacuums

"Jeff Gibson's primary financial connection to this issue stems from his long-term professional relationship with Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs), both as a National Security Contractor and through his current role as the founder of Oplign.

1. Direct Professional Ties to ANCsGibson has explicitly stated that he "spent years working with ANCs as a Navy SEAL and USG Contractor." These corporations are massive economic engines that rely heavily on federal contracts.

The 8(a) Program: This Small Business Administration program allows ANCs to receive sole-source contracts for defense projects without competitive bidding.

Financial Impact: In 2021 alone, ANCs received over $11 USD billion in federal revenue, with more than half coming from 8(a) contracts. By targeting this program, Secretary Pete Hegseth is directly threatening the primary revenue stream of entities Gibson has historically supported and worked for.

2. Oplign and Military Hiring ContractsAs the COO of Oplign, Gibson's business is built on fulfilling federal government hiring contracts.

Customer Base: Oplign helps federal agencies—including the Department of Defense, State Department, and CIA—fill roles with veterans and contractors.

Contractual Risk: If the Pentagon aggressively cuts "8(a)" or other set-aside programs that Gibson considers critical to the "backbone of American Arctic operations," it could potentially shrink the pool of defense contracts available to Oplign's clients or partners, directly affecting his company's growth in the military hiring market."

In the US there is no programs that can be cut without having "severe consequences" unless the other party does it.

Oh there are severe consequences. They just won't admit it nor accept any responsibility for them. 😉