Cathal Oconnor
National Security Strategist | Retired Rear Admiral | Global Defense Advisor | ITAR-Compliant Consultant | Expert in Force Posture & Innovation
- Role
- Research Staff Defense Intelligence National Security Business Development at Institute for Defense Analyses
- Location
- Melbourne, FL, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Cathal Oconnor
For more than three decades, I’ve led large, complex organizations through high‑stakes…
Experience
Research Staff Defense Intelligence National Security Business Development
Institute for Defense Analyses
Jan 2024 — Present · Alexandria, VA, US
Adjunct2024 – Present | Institute for Defense Analysis | Alexandria, VAServes as a strategic advisor to senior defense leadership at the DoD, NSC, and Combatant Commands, leading classified research, scenario planning, and policy development in national security and force modernization.Strategic Advisory Support: Directed classified wargames and studies focused on posture, readiness, and acquisition for SECDEF, Joint Staff, and Combatant Commands.Senior Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborated with NSC, OMB, DoD, and Navy leadership to launch initiatives addressing great power competition and fiscal constraints.Wargame Execution & Defense Innovation: Designed scenarios addressing adversary logistics and C2 gaps, driving future-focused operational guidance.Human Capital & Network Analysis: Delivered assessments on workforce readiness and network structures to inform joint force development.Interagency Collaboration: Launched new cross-domain efforts with top officials, expanding IDA’s influence in national security consulting.Strategic Communication Mentorship: Guided scientists in translating technical research into decision-ready narratives for senior leadership.
Education
ARMED FORCES STAFF COLLEGE
Certificate, Military Joint Operations Planning and Strategy
2014 — 2014
U.S. Naval War College
JPME 1
1995 — 1996
Salve Regina University
Master of Arts (MA), International Relations and Affairs
1993 — 1996
University of Virginia
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), English Literature (British and Commonwealth)
1984 — 1988
Skills
- Military
- Force Protection
- Tactics
- Military Operations
- Security Clearance
- Operational Planning
- Strategic Planning
- Electronic Warfare
- Foreign Military Sales
- Command
- Dod
- National Security
- Weapons
- Top Secret
- Intelligence Analysis
- Exercises
- Counterterrorism
- Program Management
- Defense
- Navy
- Special Operations
- C4isr
- Interagency Coordination
- Military Experience
- Intelligence
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