Jennifer Blanchette IFPC
Jennifer L. Blanchette is an accomplished Electronic Warfare (EW) professional currently serving as the Electronic Warfare Lead at eSimplicity in Norfolk, Virginia. With over 25 years of extensive experience in Electronic Warfare, Information Operations, and Intelligence, Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to her role. She spearheads initiatives that enhance EW capabilities across multiple domains, ensuring seamless integration with Fleet and Marine Corps operations. Jennifer’s team represents the Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC) at the executive level, playing a critical role in advancing training materials and tactical readiness for personnel involved in real-world operations and fleet experimentation.
Prior to her current role, Jennifer held senior positions at Amentum and Global Planning Initiatives, where she specialized as an EW Subject Matter Expert and WTI Course Manager. Her expertise includes developing cutting-edge doctrine, concepts of operation, tactics, techniques, and procedures across the IO, EW, cryptologic, and intelligence communities. Jennifer also spent over 20 years serving in the U.S. Navy as an Electronics Warfare and Cryptologic Technician, gaining invaluable operational and technical experience. Academically, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Space Studies from American Military University and is certified as an Intelligence Fundamentals Professional, underscoring her commitment to excellence and continuous learning in the defense and intelligence fields.
• Intelligence Fundamentals Professional
• University of Pittsburgh
• American Military University- B.S.
• Association of Old Crows
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being persistent and having a genuine passion for what I do. I always look for the yes, instead of the excuse. There is never a day where I think to myself, "That's not my job." If something is not within my scope of responsibility, I activate my network to find the person or persons who can effect the outcome. This is what makes you a trusted resource for your colleagues and customers.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from a retired captain and trusted mentor, Brian Hinkley. During a particularly trying time in my career, where doubts may have crept in about whether I was doing the right thing, he said: "If you are engendering opposition, you are probably doing something right."
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best advice I would give to young women entering my field is to take ownership of your professional knowledge and never be afraid to own the room. If your expertise is beyond reproach, your reputation will silence any dissent. You must continuously work to deepen your understanding of your chosen field, and be infinitely curious.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is keeping up with rapidly advancing technology, but that's also what provides endless opportunities for those who stay dedicated and work hard. An environment of continuous learning is critical to keep pace with the advancements in system components that rapidly enable greater capabilities. It is a constant challenge to deliver decisive advantage in the face of the rapid growth and proliferation of technology in an ever more congested Electromagnetic Spectrum.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, and service before self. Doing the right thing, even when it's unpopular is crucial for progress, and for good to triumph. A servant's heart in both your personal as well as your professional life is important to develop and maintain those relationships.