Michelle O'Brien
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
High-performing Security Cooperation professional with integrity and leadership skills. Applies knowledge and abilities to positively impact organization.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Foreign Area Officer, Intelligence Officer
United States Air Force, USAF
Various Locations , Worldwide
01.2002 - 07.2024
Division Chief, International Affairs
Space Training and Readiness Command, USSF
Colorado Springs, CO
08.2022 - 06.2024
- Senior International Affairs (IA) representative for international engagements, foreign disclosure, and larger IA/DOD community policy and operations engagements.
- Built and ran the first-ever IA division within STARCOM; programmed for personnel and operational requirements.
- Directed all Security Cooperation Activities for USSF Field Command, to include support to 27 partner nations.
- Oversaw the development of International Affairs strategy and policy documents/Field Command Guidance.
- Oversaw and directed the Foreign Disclosure and International Engagements branches within the IA Division.
- Conducted regular meetings with department directors to review progress towards meeting established goals.
- Collaborated closely with other divisions and outside (HHQ, lateral, and subordinate) organizations to develop cross-functional teams focused on specific projects.
- Advised senior management on strategic planning initiatives related to the division's operations.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and ethical standards across the command.
Division Chief, Intelligence Integration
Space Training and Readiness Command
Colorado Springs, CO
08.2021 - 08.2022
- Created and headed the first and only ISR division at HQ STARCOM. Built command-wide ISR support for 5 subordinate units ranging in missions from Test and Evaluation to Training and Education.
- Served as ISR functional manager for all ISR officers and billets within the command to ensure appropriate career development and best match talent.
- Oversaw critical upgrades to USSF-wide ISR training courses, saving time and resources while emphasizing relevant course content.
- Developed and codified the command's intelligence requirements process to reduce redundancy and streamline response times.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and ethical standards across the division.
- Researched best practices for improving existing processes or developing new ones.
ISR Detachment Commander
71st Intelligence, Surveillance & Recon Squadron
Colorado Springs, CO
08.2019 - 08.2021
- Managed all intelligence activities as senior advisor to the Wing Commander, responsible for the professional development and training of 5 officers and 18 enlisted personnel.
- Effectively disseminated mission-critical intelligence to enhance operational efficiency across 15 space superiority and global missile warning/defense units.
- Directed intelligence support to worldwide Space Domain Awareness operations.
- Organized and developed realistic scenarios, targets, and support for small and large force exercises.
Security Assistance Officer
US Office of Defense Cooperation
US Embassy, Kyiv, Ukraine
08.2017 - 08.2019
- Managed $1B in security assistance programs, following guidelines and objectives set by the Department of State (DOS) and Department of Defense (DOD).
- Developed relationships and worked closely with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and General Staff at all levels to identify requirements and implement assistance.
- Supervised daily administration of mission support tasks for 5x Local National and 1x US military personnel.
- Assisted the Office of Defense Cooperation Chief in developing and implementing regional strategies per the US Defense and State departments' guidance and policy.
Student/Intern
United States Air Force, USAF
Monterey, CA & Overseas Training
11.2014 - 07.2017
- Attended language training, regional immersion, and Masters program during these years, while still assigned as Active Duty Air Force. Awarded Foreign Area Officer qualification. Details in the education portion of the resume.
Deputy Chief, Wing Intelligence
62 Air Mobility Wing
McChord Air Force Base, WA
06.2011 - 10.2014
- Responsible for day-to-day administration, safety, welfare, and morale issues for 20 intelligence personnel.
- Provided comprehensive and timely global intelligence support for all 62 AW peacetime and contingency airlift operations.
- Conducted thorough analysis of classified and open-source reports, ensuring up-to-date and vital information was available to personnel and senior leadership.
- Oversaw all intelligence/threat training for 7x flying squadrons.
- Deployed one year to the CENTCOM Air Operations Center in Qatar as Deputy Chief, Airborne ISR Operations for the CENTCOM theater.
- Deployed 6 months to 521 AMOW as Senior Intelligence Officer for all Airlift operations to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Education
Master of Arts - National Security Studies
Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, CA06-2017
Certificate of Course - Russian Language
Defense Language Institute
Monterey, CA11-2016
6 Month Language, Culture, And SCO Immersion
FAO Immersion/Internship
Moldova, Kazakhstan, Latvia06-2016
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HI06-2006
Associate of Arts - Chinese Mandarin Language
Defense Language Institute
Monterey, CA07-2003
Skills
- leadership
- communication
- creativity
- presentation
- team building
- staff coordination
Affiliations
- Community theater
- Hiking and biking
- Trivia events
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin)
Elementary
Russian
Limited
Accomplishments
- Honorable Service Medal, Issued by General Staff HQ, Armed Services of Ukraine, 2019.
- State Department Meritorious Honor Award. Issued by US Embassy, Kyiv, 2019.
- Outstanding ISR Officer of the Year; Issued by Air Mobility Command, 2013.
- Outstanding Contributor Award. Issued by USAF Squadron Officer School Flight, 2013.
- Distinguished Graduate Award. Issued by USAF Basic Officer Intelligence Course cadre, 2007.
- 1st place in category in Annual Mandarin Speech Contest. Issued by The Chinese Language Teachers Association of California (CLTAC), 2002.
Timeline
Division Chief, International Affairs
Space Training and Readiness Command, USSF
08.2022 - 06.2024
Division Chief, Intelligence Integration
Space Training and Readiness Command
08.2021 - 08.2022
ISR Detachment Commander
71st Intelligence, Surveillance & Recon Squadron
08.2019 - 08.2021
Security Assistance Officer
US Office of Defense Cooperation
08.2017 - 08.2019
Student/Intern
United States Air Force, USAF
11.2014 - 07.2017
Deputy Chief, Wing Intelligence
62 Air Mobility Wing
06.2011 - 10.2014
Foreign Area Officer, Intelligence Officer
United States Air Force, USAF
01.2002 - 07.2024
Master of Arts - National Security Studies
Naval Postgraduate School
Certificate of Course - Russian Language
Defense Language Institute
6 Month Language, Culture, And SCO Immersion
FAO Immersion/Internship
Bachelor of Arts - International Studies
Hawaii Pacific University
Associate of Arts - Chinese Mandarin Language
Defense Language Institute
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