On this episode of Defense Unicorns, a Podcast, Air Force Captain Will Walker’s journey from university to the Air Force, focusing on his involvement in software development, DevOps technologies, and cybersecurity. It touches on his experiences with ROTC, passion for software, and the balance between technical involvement and leadership. The conversation delves into creating CICD pipelines, driving innovation in structured organizations, and the importance of questioning the status quo for change. Additionally, Will reflects on the value of software development, emphasizing its disruptive potential, impact on pushing boundaries, and the power of open-source collaboration in the tech field.

This podcast episode features a candid conversation with Rebecca Lively, former Deputy Director at the Air Force's Shadows Edge Software Factory, now part of Defense Unicorns. Rebecca shares her unique career journey, from an impulsive decision to attend law school, to intellectual property litigation, and eventually leading roles within the military’s cyber and software development sectors. She discusses the challenges and realizations she faced in various roles, including her struggle with imposter syndrome and the importance of diversity and humility in tech. The episode also delves into broader issues like some flaws within the government’s hiring system, the impact of diversity on software development, and the shift towards creating a more inclusive and innovative work environment.

Join us as we dive into the story of Jeff McCoy. His journey wasn't a straight line. He went from blowing up his dad's laptop as a kid to making big changes in military tech with his work at Kessel Run, and Platform One and Space Camp. Now, he's taking on the tech world with his own startup, Defense Unicorns, which he co-founded. We'll talk about the ups and downs, the challenges he faced, their recent Series A investment for $30 million and other wins along the way. If you're curious about how someone goes from serving their country to shaking up the tech scene, this is the podcast for you.