Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dale Hunter joins MWI's Charlie Faint on this episode to discuss how a new Army unit—the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)—transformed intelligence collection, targeting, and technology integration to compete against sophisticated antiaccess/area-denial threats in the Indo-Pacific. Drawing on his experience as the 1st MDTF’s senior intelligence warrant officer and collection manager, Dale explains the unique role of warrant officers as technical experts who bridge operational gaps, describes how the unit pioneered new approaches to maritime targeting, partner integration, and innovation in the absence of established doctrine, and argues that talent—not technology—is the decisive advantage in modern warfare. The conversation also explores leadership, disciplined initiative, the importance of actively recruiting exceptional people, and the crucible of innovation that shaped the 1st MDTF’s early success and continues to influence the Army’s transformation for future conflict.

• (00:00:02) - Spear of the Story
• (00:01:24) - Army Veteran on Why He Joined the Army
• (00:03:37) - What is a Warrant Officer?
• (00:06:44) - Are Intelligence Officers More Preferred Than Others?
• (00:08:13) - Immersed in the Multi-Domain Task Force
• (00:11:00) - What is a Collection Manager's Job?
• (00:13:13) - Exploring the 2ad
• (00:23:29) - Multiple Domain Task Force in the Philippines
• (00:28:28) - The Multi-Domain Task Force's Talent
• (00:32:56) - The Multi-Domain Task Force
• (00:34:55) - The MDTF's Talent Hunt
• (00:42:53) - Multi-Domain Commands
• (00:50:05) - Intel Architectural Questions
• (00:53:02) - What Does a Collection Manager's Day Look Like?
• (00:57:17) - Warrant Officer Career Overview
• (01:00:16) - Retired Intel Warrant Officer
• (01:02:26) - McIntosh: The Crucible of Innovation
• (01:05:37) - Dale Moore on His Next Job
• (01:07:55) - USFK Commander presents medal to Modern War Institute
• (01:08:55) - The Spear

In this episode, MWI's Dr. Charlie Faint speaks with Captain Francis Ambrogio, an Army armor officer, West Point graduate, and observer, coach, trainer (OCT) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany, to discuss how the Army is preparing for the realities of modern warfare. Drawing on experiences ranging from his service as a tank platoon leader in Korea and an aide-de-camp to a general officer to his time as a troop commander in the 10th Mountain Division and his current role as an OCT, Francis explains the unique role of the JMRC in training US and allied forces alongside NATO partners and Ukrainian forces. He shares insights into the rapid integration of drones, artificial intelligence, multinational interoperability, and the persistent challenges of the modern battlefield, including command post operations, staff proficiency, and mastering increasingly complex technology. Throughout the conversation, Francis emphasizes that success in future conflict still depends on timeless fundamentals: treating training as real, mastering the basics, building trust, listening to subordinates, and constantly learning from both allies and past experience to prepare leaders and formations for the next fight.

• (00:00:02) - The Spear
• (00:00:31) - Military Brings the Military to Life
• (00:02:33) - West Point Military Academy Experience
• (00:03:55) - What was your first job after you got in the Army?
• (00:04:46) - Retired Air Force Sergeant on Korea
• (00:06:23) - Francis Ambrosio on Becoming a General's Aide
• (00:10:30) - An Army Aid Officer's Burnout
• (00:13:00) - Captain Olig on Becoming a Captain
• (00:15:14) - Post-Basic Military Experience
• (00:18:07) - What Became an OCT
• (00:20:45) - Joint Multinational Training Center at Hohenfels
• (00:28:02) - Drones on the Modern Battlefield
• (00:31:36) - President Obama on Being an Ambassador for His Country
• (00:32:56) - Cadet Honors Program
• (00:34:43) - Training for a Future War
• (00:36:24) - Small Unit Cohesion
• (00:37:57) - Francis, You Are a Leader of the Army
• (00:40:36) - A Year in the Army
• (00:42:21) - Col. Francis Hohenfels on His 10th Year in
• (00:44:09) - The Spear

In this episode, Dr. Charlie Faint hosts Lieutenant Colonel Tiane Garner, commander of the Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (MDEB) in the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, to discuss the Army's evolving approach to operations in the Indo-Pacific. Drawing on nearly two decades of service that began as a transportation officer running convoy security missions in Iraq before transitioning to military intelligence, Tiane explains how the MDEB integrates intelligence, cyber, electronic warfare, space, and unmanned systems to provide long-range reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting capabilities in support of the joint force. She also details lessons learned from Pacific Pathways exercises in the Philippines, the challenges of innovation and rapid acquisition, the battalion's upcoming transition into the newly established Multi-Domain Command–Pacific, and the importance of developing disciplined soldiers who can adapt to emerging technologies and changing battlefield conditions. Throughout the conversation, Tiane emphasizes that while technology continues to evolve, success in future conflicts will ultimately depend on leaders and soldiers who have mastered the fundamentals, remain committed to continuous learning, and are prepared to operate effectively in dispersed, complex environments.

• (00:00:02) - The Story of the Profession of Arms
• (00:00:33) - Battalion Command Officer's Background
• (00:02:18) - Platoon Sergeant on His First Deployment to Iraq
• (00:05:40) - Transportation Officer Gets the Boot
• (00:06:36) - FIRST INTEL JOB
• (00:07:50) - Battalion Commander: Multi-Domain Effectives
• (00:10:00) - How Long Has the Battalion Been Around?
• (00:11:06) - How do you measure your impact? How do we measure success in
• (00:13:05) - Military Training in the Philippines
• (00:15:33) - Deployment to the Philippines
• (00:18:02) - Marines on Pathways: Command and Control
• (00:21:42) - Is the MDTF selective?
• (00:22:33) - Army Procurement: Innovation and Best Practices
• (00:27:43) - Strengths of Cyber and EW
• (00:29:25) - Post-Bacc commander: What prepared you for the job you
• (00:31:30) - Battalion Commander's Top Lessons
• (00:33:11) - Multi-Domain Command Pacific
• (00:36:19) - Commanding Officer's last year
• (00:37:40) - Basic Training and Career Broadening
• (00:41:08) - Commanding General Dunford on West Point Cadets
• (00:42:32) - MTMBTF Lecture
• (00:44:09) - The Spear