Mike Bosco holds more than 20 years of military and intelligence experience, but he ended up in government contracting somewhat by chance. Upon retiring from the military in 2012, he was intent on transitioning to federal civilian work, maybe in the Intelligence Community. However, perhaps surprisingly, it takes extensive time and enduring a lot of arduous processes to make the leap from the military to the IC. When trying to figure out how he was going to do this, a friend asked if he wanted to pursue a business opportunity.
This led Bosco down the path of the industrial base, where he has thrived for the past 12 years at companies such as BAE Systems, Akima and now, for the last year and a half, Day & Zimmermann. Bosco is the latter company’s senior vice president of business development and government services, wherein he works directly with the departments of State, Energy and Defense, as well as the IC and various other agencies and non-governmental organizations. Every day, he is channeling the passion for upholding the national security of the U.S. that he gained in his days in the Army and other service commands.
GovCon Wire had the privilege of speaking with Bosco recently about where the U.S. stands in the current great power competition, how the defense landscape has shifted since his days on the front lines and the centrality of technologies like quantum to the fight.
GovCon Wire: What’s your outlook on the global defense landscape? What significant changes or trends are you seeing, and how are those factors moving the GovCon market?
Mike Bosco: The world is a far more dangerous place today than it was during my time in the military. Back then, our primary focus was the global war on terrorism—a significant challenge, but different from the near-peer competition we face now. While the threats were present, we weren’t engaged with them on a daily basis like we are today.
The global defense landscape is shifting rapidly. Consider the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia’s actions there and the aggressive posture of China. On top of that, we’re tackling new domains like cybersecurity, supply chain resilience and the growing demand for modernization, lifecycle management and operational sustainment across multiple theaters. It’s no longer just about U.S. Central Command—we’re now focused on the Indo-Pacific and Europe, as well as the lingering complexities in the Middle East.
From Day & Zimmermann’s perspective, we’re seeing a rising need for performance-based logistics, secure facility management (both domestic and international) and integrated operational support. These are areas where we excel. We’ve built expertise in contested environments, whether in Eastern Europe, the Indo-Pacific, or the Middle East, and we’re committed to addressing these challenges head-on.
Our approach involves expanding partnerships with government clients, collaborating with prime system integrators and operating effectively in these dynamic regions. It’s all about positioning ourselves to meet the evolving demands of our clients and staying ahead in this rapidly changing environment.
GCW: If we’re losing ground in any critical national defense priorities, how are we working now to catch up?
Bosco: Over the past 20 years, we’ve made significant progress in some areas but lost ground in others. While the U.S. remains strong in its defensive posture, the landscape has shifted dramatically with advances in technology. Hypersonic weapon systems, AI-driven warfare and other cutting-edge technologies are now at the forefront. The investments our competitors are making in these areas—and the investments we need to make—are critical for maintaining our edge.
Supply chain vulnerabilities have also become a key focus, brought into stark relief by COVID-19. Our reliance on overseas supply chains has prompted a re-evaluation, and we’re working to close those gaps. Building strategic partnerships with innovative technology companies—whether in hardware or software—allows us to integrate those solutions not only to meet our own needs but also to support our clients more effectively.
We’ve made significant investments to expand our presence in contested areas, particularly in Europe. For example, early in the conflict, we established forward-operating teams with offices, housing, staff, and supply chains in strategic locations of Ukraine , focusing not only on supporting government clients but also on reconstruction efforts. Additionally, we’re working to diversify supply chains and ensure logistics security in forward-deployed operational areas.
Another critical area is talent. We provide skilled personnel to support both our operations and our clients, including forward service representatives who are essential to maintaining and protecting the advanced technologies utilized by our military and government clients.
Lastly, our legacy in security operations continues to play a crucial role. We remain deeply involved in protecting assets for entities such as the State Department and the Department of Defense, ensuring that both physical and operational security are upheld.
GCW: Which emerging technologies do you anticipate will have the greatest impact on our standing in the great power competition in the next few years? Where are you seeing opportunities for accelerated, meaningful tech growth for the U.S.?
Bosco: Several emerging technologies will play a decisive role in maintaining the U.S. edge in great power competition.
First, AI and machine learning have already transformed the landscape over the past six years, and their growth is accelerating. These technologies are improving daily, and tools like GPT-4 demonstrate their immense potential. We’re cautiously exploring ways to integrate AI into process automation and generative applications. The possibilities here are virtually limitless.
Second, hypersonic weapons are critical to the evolving long-range fight. Unlike the traditional close-range focus, modern warfare emphasizes the ability to project power over vast distances. While some competitors claim progress, it’s clear that this domain will shape the future of global defense strategies. Defense powers continue to focus on asymmetric threats, including the rise of automated drones on the battlefield, and of course the potential for escalated arms races, prompting a global discourse on regulatory frameworks to ensure security needs are balanced with the prevention of escalation and proliferation.
Third, quantum computing is both an opportunity and a risk. It holds enormous potential for innovation, but its ability to disrupt cryptography could undermine existing encryption standards. The race to quantum supremacy will have far-reaching implications for national security and global stability.
Finally, additive manufacturing and reshoring are essential for strengthening supply chains. At Day & Zimmermann, we’re making significant investments in these areas—not just in manufacturing capabilities but also in providing modernization solutions through our architectural and engineering expertise. Reshoring aligns with the broader goal of reducing overseas dependencies and enhancing domestic resilience.
Across these domains, we see accelerated growth opportunities through AI-driven logistics, predictive maintenance and readiness optimization for our clients. Whether abroad or through reshoring efforts here in the U.S., these advancements are key to staying ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.
