Pros
Small enough company to develop good knowledge of most aspects of Defense Contracting. A lot of good talent in the employee pool.
Cons
Because this company is privately owned, there is little to no recourse for internal challenges. There's an incredibly high turnover rate which can't be fully attributed to exponential growth. Employees who resign often do not get their full pay and benefits paid out. If they want someone for your position, they'll throttle your capabilities to make you look bad and fabricate allegations to justify firing you and there's nothing you can do. The turnover, and underlying reasons put a mental strain on the remaining employees, who wonder if they're next, and are afraid to establish any real relationships with co-workers who might be gone tomorrow. On the surface, this company is very progressive. In reality, the myth of the macho military world is on full display. Women are not heard. Ideas put forth by women are frequently ignored until presented by male colleagues. The current CEO frequently bullies employees and makes derogatory comments disguised as jokes, making it very uncomfortable. Mentorship is limited. Favoritism is common. Information sharing is compartmentalized, making it difficult for key players to achieve success.