Joseph Harris

An an Open Source Research Analyst at 1st IO Command I am responsible for collecting and analyzing open source information to support various army missions. I used a variety of tools to gather this information from publicly accessible sources such as social media, news articles and online databases. During this time, I focused on the INDOPACOM Theater and became a subject matter expert on China and North Korea, as well as studying the psychological profiles of the leadership of these countries. Outside of work, I began the study of Mandarin in order to fully understand the culture and social mores of China. Additionally, I created products and briefings based on OSR findings for customers up to the 4 Star Command level. I also stayed current on emerging tools and techniques as well as providing recommendations on how they could best be used.

As a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve, I was mobilized and led a Civil Military Information Integration Team of 4 Field Grade Officers, 2 Army Civilians and 1 Master Sergeant. My team collected and analyzed data about the civilian population, demographics, social structures, political systems and economic conditions in the Levant area of the Middle East. My team worked on operations as varied as planning humanitarian assistance to both internally displaced persons and refugees from the remaining ISIS elements to the second and third order of effects on the civilian populace with regards to military strikes, including the missile attack on Iranian General Sulemani. I almost daily briefed SES and both US and Foreign General Officers on our operations and plans for future operations as well.

As a Civil Affairs Officer in the US Army Reserve, I rose in rank from Captain to Lieutenant Colonel. I led a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq (2007-2008) in Sadr City, Iraq and Camp Taji during The Surge and April Uprising in 2008. I planned, coordinated and executed Civil affairs operations, working with both the US Army, Non-Governmental Organizations and the local Iraqi civilian leadership. I worked with the local Iraqi civilian news media to film work of our progress for Iraqi television as well as, when meeting with local leaders, collecting passive intelligence to be used later by SMUs. After that deployment, I served as a Civil Affairs Company Commander, in charge of 60 Soldiers and over $500,000 in equipment. During the time frame of 2015-2016, I again deployed in support of the counter ISIS mission to Kuwait,. I worked almost daily with either the personnel at the US Embassy or the Kuwaiti Armed Forces, both in planning for training for the Kuwaiti military and ensuring the Capital of Kuwait would be secured in the event of ISIS terrorist attacks.

As a Plans and Operations Specialist Army Civilian, I was responsible for Planning and coordinating plans and procedures to support 1st IO Command's operational goals as well as providing support to the warfighter units overseas engaged in the Global War on Terror. I daily created briefings, and presentations for senior level Army leadership and at times briefed them myself. I worked on Contingency of Operations for 1st IO Command in the Washington DC Metro Area as well as being the Operational Security Manager at the Battalion level. The remaining duties were of a classified nature.