Episode 35: Australian Intelligence, Demystifying HUMINT and Mental Health with D.

Today I spoke to D., a former Military Intelligence operator from Australia. He has also worked in law enforcement and is currently doing contracted work. We spoke about his experience transitioning from combat engineer to intelligence operator, his time in Afghanistan, mental health, demystifying HUMINT, getting into OSINT and more.

You can find D. on:

• Instagram

We spoke about:

• The reality on the ground in Afghanistan during his deployment (3:08)
• Staying on and changing roles after his first deployment (4:55)
• Transitioning from a combat engineer to intelligence (6:21)
• Lessons learned and experiences on deployment in intelligence (9:42)
• Whether he maintained any relationships from operations (12:31)
• Learning languages (13:43)
• Recognizing burnout and mental health struggles (16:43)
• Starting the.dirtydingo Instagram account (21:46)
• AI and the future of intelligence (27:04)
• Advice to professionals in the industry (29:56)
• Advice for getting started in OSINT (33:35)
• Cultural recommendations (39:07)

• Related Links:

• So, You Want To Be An Intelligence Analyst?
• A Guide to Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
• OSINT, Military Career Transition & Language Skills with Skip Schiphorst
• OSINT & SOCMINT for Threat Intelligence with Jordan Ponath
• GEOINT, OSINT & Facing Vicarious Trauma with Benjamin Strick
• Former DIA Intelligence Analyst, Marcel Plichta
• Intelligence Led-Policing, OSINT & Facing PTSD with Julie Nel

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