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The Intel Brief
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May 24, 2026 Red Hat Certification Changes 2026: Tracks, RHCSA & RHCA
Red Hat's May 2026 cert restructure: five tracks, RHEL 10 RHCSA, EX318 retired, and track-specific RHCA. Here's what cleared IT needs to know.
May 17, 2026 How to Get a Security Clearance Sponsor (2026 Guide)
You can't get a security clearance on your own — a cleared employer has to sponsor you. Here's how sponsorship works and how to find employers who will do it.
May 14, 2026 Can You Get a Security Clearance With a DUI?
A DUI does not automatically disqualify you from a security clearance. Here's how Guideline G, Guideline J, mitigation, expungement, and SF-86 disclosure apply.
May 10, 2026 Entry-Level Cleared IT Jobs: Best Roles to Target (2026)
The most realistic entry-level cleared IT jobs include help desk, desktop support, field service, NOC, junior sysadmin, data center, and Tier 1 SOC roles.
May 4, 2026 Federal Employee Benefits Explained: FERS, TSP, FEHB, and Total Compensation
Federal salary is only part of the compensation picture. Here's how FERS, TSP matching, FEHB, paid leave, holidays, and job stability affect what a federal job is really worth.
Apr 29, 2026 How Long Does a Security Clearance Take? Secret, Top Secret, and TS/SCI Timelines
Security clearance timelines vary by tier, agency, SF-86 quality, and case complexity. Learn realistic Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI, and interim clearance timelines.
Apr 28, 2026 IAT Level II Explained: Which Certs Qualify in 2026
IAT Level II explained in plain English: what it means, which certifications satisfy it, why Security+ is common, and how DoD 8140 changed the old 8570 model.
Apr 27, 2026 Cleared Salary by Level: Secret, Top Secret & TS/SCI Pay (2026)
What cleared jobs pay by level: Secret, TS, TS/SCI, and poly premium. GS vs. contractor salary ranges and what actually drives the pay gap.
Apr 27, 2026 Can You Get a Security Clearance With Marijuana Use?
Past marijuana use doesn't automatically disqualify you — but timing, frequency, and disclosure matter. Here's how Guideline H evaluates marijuana use and what actually gets people denied.
Apr 25, 2026 USAJobs Salary Range Explained: What You'll Actually Get Paid
The salary range on a USAJobs posting is already locality-adjusted — it's a timeline from Step 1 to Step 10, not a negotiation band. Here's how to read it correctly.
Apr 25, 2026 Interim Clearance Explained: Why It Gets Approved or Denied
An interim clearance lets you start work before final adjudication — but it's not guaranteed and doesn't cover SCI. Here's what gets checked and why interims are denied.
Apr 25, 2026 RHCSA Explained: Why Linux Skills Matter in Cleared IT
RHCSA is Red Hat's hands-on Linux admin certification. Learn what EX200 covers, why RHEL skills matter in cleared IT, and whether RHCSA is worth it.
Apr 24, 2026 Can You Get a Security Clearance With Debt?
Yes, you can get a security clearance with debt. Here's how Guideline F treats credit cards, collections, student loans, bankruptcy, tax issues, and repayment plans.
Apr 22, 2026 Security Clearance Levels Explained: Confidential, Secret, Top Secret, and Beyond
Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI, and SCI access explained — what separates them, which investigation tier each requires, and why clearances don't always transfer.
Apr 22, 2026 GS vs GG Pay Scales: What Cleared Tech Workers Need to Know
GS and GG use the same grade numbers but different pay systems. Here's how DCIPS, locality supplements, and the TLMS for STEM and cyber roles affect what you actually earn.
Apr 21, 2026 10 SF-86 Mistakes That Can Delay Your Security Clearance
These 10 SF-86 errors create clearance delays — not because of what happened, but because of how you disclosed it. Here's what to avoid.
Apr 21, 2026 What Happens After You Submit the SF-86? Investigation, Interview, and Adjudication Timeline
What the background investigation process looks like after SF-86 submission — who gets contacted, what interviews cover, and how long adjudication takes.
Apr 20, 2026 The 13 Adjudicative Guidelines, Explained (SEAD 4, 2026)
What all 13 SEAD 4 adjudicative guidelines cover — the disqualifying conditions, what mitigates them, and how adjudicators weigh your whole record.