Bianca Falcone (’18): Technical Editor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense

As a contractor for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology, Bianca edits a multiplicity of documents that are sent from her office to Congress, the Government Accountability Office, and sometimes the President. On a daily basis, she uses lessons learned in Prof. John Tsagronis’ class on the National Security Policy Process.

Here, Bianca shares how a memo she wrote for class helped in a job interview, how she started at the Pentagon with a crew of fellow IWP graduates, and how she contributes to national security in her current role.

A desire to defend our nation

A native of New Jersey, Bianca grew up going to military museums and historical reenactments with her father, who also works in national security. She was in middle school when she watched the 9/11 terrorist attacks unfold in nearby New York City.

“That was a shock and a rude awakening,” said Bianca. “It opened my eyes to the broader world and the threats facing America. I was very interested in national security from that point onward.”

Bianca began her career in D.C. as an intern at the Heritage Foundation, where she researched defense issues. From there, she was referred to a job working as an archive and research assistant for former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. When one of her colleagues left to become a contractor, he referred Bianca to his company.

“And that’s how I started working at the Department of Defense,” said Bianca.

A graduate school with a personal atmosphere

Bianca was serious about national security as a career, and before starting work for Donald Rumsfeld, she began visiting graduate schools.

“When I walked into Marlatt Mansion, I loved it,” said Bianca. “I liked the personal feel of IWP the second I visited.”

The biggest draw for Bianca, though, was the professors who are both scholars and practitioners. “It was great to be getting a perspective from people who have worked in the field for years and years.”

While at IWP, Bianca found the professors to be helpful and available for mentoring when she had questions about her career path. She enjoyed the discussions in her small classes.

Bianca enjoyed participating in the IWP-Oxford Study Abroad – “It was a once in a lifetime experience for me!”

In class with Dr. Thomas, she was on the edge of her seat as he described counterintelligence operations and case studies of spies. In class with Prof. Tsagronis, she took on the role of the Secretary of Defense for a simulated national security meeting. With Dr. Wood, she read Plato, Aristotle, and Shakespeare, and she learned about their influence on American foreign policy today.

Of her IWP experience, she says, “It was great. I wouldn’t change a thing about it!”

Prepared for a role at the Pentagon

Bianca took IWP lessons – and people – with her into the workplace.

In her interview for her position as a Senior Analyst supporting the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD(AT&L)), Bianca was asked an obscure question about the Under Secretary’s Initiatives. She had just written a memo for her IWP class that included the perspective of that very Under Secretary. She aced the interview question!

When she started her work there, Bianca was glad that she had taken Prof. Tsagronis’ National Security Policy Process class. She had learned how things happen at the Department of Defense and how the DoD works with the National Security Council.

“When I started at the Pentagon, I had no other experience than what I learned at IWP. I didn’t feel like a fish out of water, because I had learned so much at school,” said Bianca.

She also found quite a few IWP graduates in her office.

“We had a lot of connections to different offices because we knew each other,” said Bianca. “I felt like I could easily reach out to people for help.”

Editing Department of Defense documents

In her current role as a contractor with SAIC, Bianca supports the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology as a Technical Editor.

She reviews and edits official memos, Congressional reports and briefings, GAO briefings, weekly reports, and more.

Although she previously had zero background in science or engineering, Bianca has learned quite a bit in the last four years in this role.

Of Prof. Tsagronis’ course on National Security Policy Process, she said, “That course directly impacts my performance in my current job.”

With Prof. Tsagronis, Bianca learned how to write national security memos and practiced writing them from different perspectives. She learned about the importance of including the bottom line up front and of addressing different viewpoints. “Now that I’m editing DoD memos, it has come full circle! This class was really practical for me.”

The documents reviewed by Bianca often go to the highest levels of government. She commented: “I’m glad I can do my part to get DoD’s message across in the best and most efficient manner.”