Chair Update – September 2025

Greetings Naval Intelligence Professionals! I hope this note finds you and yours happy and healthy and enjoying the transition from summer to fall.

The fall equinox symbolizes balance, harvest, reflection, and transition. This celestial event also signifies the cyclical nature of life, encouraging introspection, release of what no longer serves, and the acknowledgment of personal growth and accomplishments. As you’ll note from the Fall Newsletter, there were several events over the summer that afforded us an opportunity to gather and to reflect on our past, our present, and our future—and we have additional opportunities on the horizon.

In addition to the anticipated PCS moves, graduation celebrations, and exciting summer family excursions, the past several months have included reunions, retirements, changes of command, and remembrances. 

At the time we released our Summer Newsletter, many of us were preparing to gather in San Diego for the grand opening of the new CVIC exhibit aboard the USS Midway Museum. The event was even more spectacular and magical than anticipated. It felt like a family reunion (and in some ways it was). Watching the discovery and joy on the faces of the attendees who had never been in a CVIC was priceless. We will continue to strengthen and expand our partnership with the museum and seek similar opportunities elsewhere to continue to educate the public on the value derived from Naval Intelligence professionals. 

After the big event aboard the USS Midway Museum, I dashed back across the country to Virginia Beach to throw on my choker whites (thankfully still fitting) and preside at Master Chief Intelligence Specialist Nate Karlan’s retirement. CWO4 (Ret) John Ryder also donned his service dress whites and joined us on stage as the keynote speaker. I first met John Ryder in 2000 when he was a first-class petty officer, and we sailed together aboard USS Harry S Truman for her maiden deployment. I first met Nate Karlan in 2005 when he was a second-class petty officer, and I had just reported to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (he schooled me on Afghanistan prior to a short-fused deployment). In January 2021, the three of us shared the stage during a ceremony where I presided and Nate gave the keynote as we properly piped John Ryder ashore. Over the past three months, I’ve been to almost a dozen retirement ceremonies—celebrations of the decades of service and sacrifice from military members of all branches of service, government civilians, and their families. If you’re approaching this milestone yourself, plan on doing something special. Remember that it’s not about you—it’s about your family, friends and shipmates. If you’re invited to attend one of these celebrations, take the time to do so. These events are a reminder of what unites us and why we’re in this profession. 

Similarly, make time to attend changes of command whenever possible. You’ll see one recent change of command highlighted in the Fall Newsletter—Captain Michael Tiefel relieved Captain Caroline Rochfort as commanding officer of the Navy Geospatial Intelligence Warfare Activity (NGIWA) last month. One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about these ceremonies is hearing the outgoing CO brag about their people and what they’ve been accomplishing. 

You’ll also see there are two new commands being created this fall: Information Warfare Squadron (IWRON) TWO and NINE. We’ll continue to highlight changes of command in our communiques to provide the community with insights into leadership changes and accomplishments of the force. We’ll also carry on with our efforts to bring these leaders to our Virtual Speaker Series (VSS), investing in our continued professional development.   

This September 11th marked the 24th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack against our homeland. As they do every year, the Office of Naval Intelligence and the Chief of Naval Operations – Intelligence Plot (CNO-IP) hosted ceremonies at Suitland and Arlington to remember and honor the eight naval intelligence professionals we lost that fateful morning. Both events were moving and well attended. One would think that the pain and sorrow eases over time, but it doesn’t. Nor, I suppose, should it. We will never forget!

A couple of days prior to the remembrance ceremonies I received an unexpected, but spectacular surprise when a half dozen shipmates I’d sailed with over 34 years ago appeared in Washington DC!  These were intelligence specialists from the USS Ranger and a couple of the embarked squadrons. We’d all worked together as first-tour Naval Intelligence professionals during Desert Storm. Although it had been decades since we had seen each other, it seemed as though it was yesterday. You can read more details about why the team was in town in the newsletter article concerning Chuck Sams receiving the Lone Sailor Award. 

Here's a before/after shot for your entertainment (and to test your photo/facial recognition skills).

Fall is a time for reflection. These past few months of reunions, retirements, remembrances, changes in leadership, and changes in organizations have reminded me that the more things change, the more they remain the same.

There are two things I’m convinced have never changed and never will: the need for us to do what we do for the nation day in and day out, and the need for us to have the highest quality humans available for us to be able to do so. Our people and our partnerships remain our comparative and competitive advantage. 

As I already mentioned, there are many upcoming events advertised in the Fall Newsletter, on our website and on our social media site. Consider not only attending yourself but getting other potential NIP members to join you as well. 

You’ll also notice we are offering discounted membership rates through December 12th to help us celebrate the 250th birthdays of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Intelligence Specialist rating.  

Help spread the word—it’s our time to lead!

Best, Bob
NIP Chair