Chair Update - March 2026

Ahoy Naval Intelligence Professional shipmates and devil dogs!

I hope you all had a wonderful winter holiday season and managed to carve out some quality time with loved ones to create some lasting memories. The Sharps sought a change in latitude and gathered down on Anna Marie Island in Florida for a spell—priceless!

Although today marks the beginning of Spring and we’ve had some hints that it is indeed approaching northern Virginia, Winter just doesn’t seem to want to let go. It’s predicted to be 70 degrees over the next several days, so… “fingers crossed.” I, for one, am definitely ready for some April showers and May flowers.

I want to start this update by thanking everyone who’s involved in supporting ongoing operations—and your families—for your service and sacrifices, and all you do for our nation.

I know this won’t surprise you all, but we have had and continue to have Naval Intelligence professionals involved in every aspect of the planning and execution of Operation Epic Fury—at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels.

• There are Naval Intelligence professionals embedded in the naval and joint forces conducting current combat operations as part of the USS Ford and USS Lincoln carrier strike groups deployed to the area and as part of the USS Tripoli ARG/31st MEU quickly steaming to the Middle East.
• The C5F naval component staff in Bahrain has a robust Naval Intelligence/information warfare team, and we undoubtedly have presence in the combined air operations center (CAOC) as well.
• We're at CENTCOM headquarters in large numbers, and when I was recently at JAC Molesworth to participate in a shipmate's retirement ceremony, I had discussions with Naval Intelligence professionals within EUCOM and AFRICOM commands who were busy with ongoing contingency planning prior to Operation Epic Fury commencing.

• I was just at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Washington facility this past Wednesday and talked with the leadership from the Navy Geospatial-Intelligence Warfare Activity. The work that our teammates are doing is impressive, and I have no doubt we’re having similar impacts across the Intelligence Community.

• In the Pentagon, the current Joint Staff J2 is Vice Admiral Tom Henderschedt, who is a NIP member and was our keynote speaker at our Fall luncheon. Our current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, is a strong advocate and demanding customer of ops/intel integration and has Tom and the J3 tied to his hip.
• And as a reminder, our Naval Intelligence professionals participating in supporting current operations and contingency planning represents our total force: our uniformed sailors and Marines (officer, enlisted, active, reserves, and retirees), as well as our non-uniformed sailors and marines who are contributing both as government civilians and contractors.

For all those who are participating, around the clock and around the globe, we salute you and pray for your continued safety and success!

Turning to NIP administrative issues—

The year is off to a fast start. I was able to participate personally in WEST 2026 out in San Diego 10-12 February, and in the classified Navy IW Industry Day just held on 18 March at NGA Washington. It was encouraging to hear about current priorities and efforts, and to discuss the importance of Naval Intelligence and information warfare capabilities to current and future warfighting concepts. It was also nice to see individuals I hadn’t seen in some time and to catch up personally and professionally. Please find opportunities to keep yourselves connected, and to continue growing yourself as professionals and as leaders. That’s one of the main reasons we have the NIP.



Continue checking our website and our ALLNIP communications for opportunities near you (or opportunities worth your travel). Also, feel free to create opportunities yourself, or help us inform other members of opportunities of interest.



One of the nearest opportunities that’s hopefully on everyone’s RADAR screen is the Red Tie Luncheon on 1 May. If you can, please join us to posthumously honor USMC Lieutenant General (Ret) Vince Stewart, this year’s Red Tie Award recipient and hear some remarks from our keynote speaker (invited) USMC Lieutenant General Jerry Carter. More details are in the Spring newsletter and on our website, and registration is still open. This is one you won’t want to miss! And feel free to invite a friend!



I want to close by reminding everyone of three areas we’re emphasizing this year:



• Growing our total force membership, representation, and participation. We’re still seeking volunteers to join our board committees so that they are no longer committees of one. And we’re interested in doing so in a way that will help us gain perspectives and priorities from across our force—Navy and Marine Corps; officer and enlisted; government civilians; contractors; active duty, reserve and retirees.
• Strengthening and expanding partnerships. As discussed previously, we’ve changed the Mentorship Committee into the Partnership Committee. We’re currently exploring how we can expand our relationships to help achieve NIP’s goals.


• Increasing awareness and appreciation of the value the nation derives from Naval Intelligence. In addition to keeping ourselves connected and informed, we will continue to explore opportunities to help educate others about our profession. This will be a major consideration as we determine how best to strengthen and expand partnerships. One of our most active initiatives associated with this is our History Project. If you’re not up to speed on everything we’re doing, you can read more about it on our website.

If you’d like to get involved in helping us chart the course, just reach out and let us know.

If not you, then who?

If not now, then when?


Our time to lead!



Best, Bob

NIP Chair