Episode 18 - Brian Russell: Information Warfare Expert, USMC Veteran, Award-Winning Author and Speaker
Brian Russell: Information Warfare Expert, USMC Veteran, Award-Winning Author and Speaker
In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with Brian Russell—a career warfighter turned thought leader in cyber and information warfare. With 27 years of distinguished service in the United States Marine Corps, including multiple combat deployments and commands, Brian brings hard-won insight to the rapidly evolving landscape of digital conflict and national security.
From early inspiration drawn from his grandfathers' WWII service to commanding forces delivering joint all-domain effects across the globe, Brian's journey reflects the transformation of warfare itself—from kinetic to cognitive. He offers experienced insights on how leaders should adapt to complex threats and what it takes to stay ahead in the Information Age.
In this episode, Brian shares:
How pivotal relationships helped reshape his career trajectory
What people get wrong about information warfare, and why it’s everybody’s fight
The opportunities and risks that generative AI presents to national security
How "speed at scale" is transforming modern defense and decision-making
The importance of a growth mindset in problem-solving in the Digital Age
Why the Marine Corps' “bias for action” makes them natural innovators in this domain
Career advice for aspiring cyber, defense, and national security professionals
Why education, adaptability, and people remain our most critical strategic advantage
From the tactical ground fight to the front lines of digital warfare, Brian Russell brings clarity, urgency, and inspiration to one of the most vital conversations of our time. Whether you're a military professional, policymaker, or emerging leader in tech and defense, this episode will challenge and equip you to engage more fully in securing the future.
Don’t miss this powerful conversation!
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About the Guest:
Brian Russell is a recently retired Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. After commissioning from North Carolina State University, he served the earliest parts of his 27 year career as an artillery officer with multiple combat deployments including actions as a Military Transition Team Leader in Habbaniyah, Iraq, the executive officer of Brigade Headquarters Group in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and Plans Director in Bagram, Afghanistan for a combined joint special operations task force. After giving up command of 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company in Camp Pendleton CA, he was selected to attend the College of Information and Cyberspace at National Defense University as the sole Marine student in the inaugural resident cyberspace strategy war college program. This educational opportunity earned him a set of orders to US Cyber Command where he served in the Fires and Effects division and subsequently served as the J5 Plans Director of Joint Task Force ARES. Most recently he commanded II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (II MIG) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he provided joint all domain effects for the MEF commander, 2d and 6th Fleets and multiple key allies and partners. He is an award winning author and prolific speaker on the topic of information advantage and cyberspace operations and was most recently awarded the Military Cyber Professionals Associations Order of Thor Gold Award for his contributions to increasing operational capability in the cyberspace domain. He currently works as a Cyber and Information Warfare SME for Peraton.