Once again, we dip into the “you can’t make this shit up” files to find the architects of CMMC not only forming their own organization to give themselves awards, but doing so in the most cringeworthy, god-awful, embarrassing manner ever.

First, let’s wind back the clock to recall how Mark Berman was one of the first Cyber AB dudes to get thrown out for conflicts of interest when it was reported he was running FutureFeed, a CMMC consulting and software outfit. That was way back in 2020, but the Cyber AB never blacklisted FutureFeed — despite conflict of interest rules suggesting they should have — and now we’re here in adult cosplay land.

Stuart Itkin, another shameless CMMC shill, now works for FutureFeed, too. But he also formed the “CMMC Industry Standard Council,” which appears to do nothing at all except help FutureFeed suck up to the remaining CMMC folks in power by giving them fake awards. Because the Cyber AB and CMMC Program Management Office at the Dept. of Defense are filled with immature, insecure nerds who desperately need attention and awards to feel worthwhile, Itkin’s group just handed out “Patriot Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Security of our Nation” to the usual suspects. Yes, it sounds like something they made up for Team America: World Police, but these shitbirds did it for real, as opposed to using puppets.

You see, whereas in normal, emotionally-balanced circles of professionals, one might be given a challenge coin or a lovely lapel pin, the dorkdicks of CMMC had to go big. As in about a meter big, but we won’t measure it using the metric system, because that might undermine their patriotic masculinity and embolden our enemies.

Yes, they gave themselves off-brand, fake Captain America shields. Have a look. Here is Regan Edens, Buddy Dees, and the DoD PMO’s own Stacy Bostjanick sporting their new God-fearing, All-American cosplay props. I will say this: of all three, it appears Bostjanick has the highest level of testosterone.

I think we can all feel safe knowing that Edens will keep San Diego Comic Con safe from Chinese hackers now. Mind you, this is the same clown who appeared on CMMC webinars with fake weapons hanging on his bedroom wall. I assume his Farrah Fawcett poster and set of Dungeons and Dragons dice were just out of camera view:

As one says, these are not serious people.

Itkin wasn’t done there, though. He also granted a Captain Spamerica shield to Katie Arrington, in absentia, and we’re all just going to ignore that her “Lifetime Achievement in the Security of our Nation” includes having her security clearances stripped by NSA for blathering classified information as if she were spilling tea on The View. Among the other recipients of this Dork Award was a “PMO member who preferred to be unnamed.” At least someone at the DoD has a shred of decency; probably the last sober one?

I wonder what Arrington would think knowing she just shared an award with someone who had been working diligently behind the scenes to get her fired? Who had been not only pumping information my way, but literally helped draft articles for this very website? I have emails. Lordy, do I have emails.

So, goddammit, where’s my fucking shield? I want to roam the streets of some white, northeastern suburb, skulking past Priuses to fight crime and engage in performative patriotism, all while carrying comic book props and screaming about the risks of unprotected CUI, too, you know.

In the meantime, I hear China finds all of this hilarious, as well they should.

UPDATE 22 December 2025: Katie Arrington posted photos of her shield, and it raises a whole host of new problems:

First, how does a person who literally had their security clearances stripped by the National Security Agency win a “lifetime” award for the “security of our nation”? Does this mean that Snowden and Assange deserve Thor hammers?

Next, let’s unpack how things went down. Katie Arrington created, out of thin air, an entire consulting industry that benefited herself and her pals. During that effort, complaints were filed against FutureFeed, arguing conflicts of interest and corruption. Arrington worked to scuttle those complaints. Worse, Arrington the CMMC PMO continued to allow FutureFeed (including Berman and Itkin) to operate in the CMMC space, despite the clear violation of the Code of Ethics.

Her clearances taken away, Arrington then quits government and goes to work for a company that sells CMMC stuff, personally benefiting from the industry she created (again) out of thin air. She then comes back to government, and everyone ignores everything that happened to this point. Once again, no one is held accountable.

FutureFeed goes on to make a lot of money from Arrington. In return, in 2025, they “reward” her with (what I’m told is expensive) “gift” in the form of this ridiculous garbage can lid repainted to violate Marvel Comics’ intellectual property. She accepts the reward.

The shields appear to run about $100 – 200 a pop, so well over the gift limit. But the IG’s office has routinely refused to investigate these issues.

See how the Federal acquisition space works?