I was at work supporting a 有料盒子APP client, beginning the day in my role as an open-source intelligence (OSINT) specialist embedded in an all-source intelligence element: That鈥檚 when I saw the signs of a bigger conflict in an already tense region.聽
Me: 鈥淗ey, I am seeing a few online posts and pictures of tanks rolling across the border鈥攁re you guys tracking that? What can I grab for you?鈥
Mechanized military unit specialist: 鈥淵ou have pictures of tanks crossing the border? Where?鈥
Civilian team lead: 鈥淐an you send those to us?鈥
Officer-in-charge: 鈥淒oes it seem like a false flag?鈥
So began several months of work providing 24-hour updates on troop movements, lines of contact, and ceasefire negotiations.
Supporting regional theater intelligence elements with OSINT means working alongside uniformed, civilian, and contract personnel to keep the United States and its allies safe. As one military leader said, 鈥淭here is no badge color [referring to the colored badges that distinguish government and military personnel from contractors and foreign nationals] in the foxhole. We want the best answers we can get so the commander and Joint Chiefs can make an informed decision.鈥澛