Ep. 138 AI, Warfighting, and What’s Next: Lessons from Lt. Gen. Mike Groen’s Career in the USMC and Leading DoD AI

In this insightful episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins welcomes Lieutenant General (Ret.) Michael S. Groen, former Director of the Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), Strategic Advisor at GroenTech LLC, Founding Partner, Global Frontier Advisors LP, graduate of Calvin University (formerly Calvin College) and the Naval Postgraduate School, and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran. With a distinguished 37-year career spanning combat operations, senior intelligence leadership, and groundbreaking work in military AI integration, Mike offers a rare window into the evolution of defense technology—and how veterans can successfully transition into the civilian tech world.

Listeners will hear Mike’s compelling journey—from being commissioned as a Marine Corps intelligence officer, to serving as the senior intelligence officer for the 1st Marine Division under General James Mattis during Operation Iraqi Freedom, to leading the modernization of Marine Corps intelligence and ISR, and ultimately becoming the DoD’s top AI executive. Along the way, he reflects on how adaptability, innovation, and a deep ethos of service shaped his leadership.

What’s Inside This Conversation:

• From Intelligence Officer to Architect of Change
  How Mike’s career evolved through operational deployments, advanced technical education, and senior intelligence leadership roles—culminating in a redesign of Marine Corps intelligence processes and capabilities.
• Combat to Community: The Power of Connection
  A vivid story of reuniting with an old friend while training to go to Iraq, underscoring the importance of personal bonds in military service.
• Intel with General Mattis
  Firsthand stories from Operation Iraqi Freedom, including the use of intelligence to identify maneuver routes across the Euphrates and guide the First Marine Division’s decisive operations.
• Building the Marine Corps ISR Enterprise
  Leading efforts to integrate SIGINT, HUMINT, GEOINT, and technical capabilities into a cohesive Marine Corps intelligence community.
• Driving Innovation in AI and Decision-Making
  How Mike’s leadership at the JAIC advanced the Department of Defense’s adoption of artificial intelligence, emphasizing the intersection of process, culture, and technology.
• AI as an Enabler of Command Decisions
  A powerful perspective: AI does not replace commanders—it enhances human judgment by increasing speed, clarity, and efficiency in decision-making.
• Guidance for Veterans in Tech and AI
  Mike shares practical insights to help transitioning veterans leverage their operational experience, leadership, and mission focus in private-sector careers—from major defense firms to startups and entrepreneurial ventures.

Tune in to Hear:

• How a Marine intelligence officer became the Pentagon’s AI chief
• The human side of military intelligence and collaboration
• Key milestones—battle-tested, bureaucratic, and technology-driven—that defined Mike’s career
• Actionable lessons for veterans entering AI, cybersecurity, and defense tech

Discover more stories of transition, leadership, and innovation with TheMilVet Podcast at themilvet.org.

#TheMilVetPodcast #USMCVeteran #AI #MarineCorpsIntel #MilitaryTransition #VeteranInTech #DefenseInnovation #AILeadership #VeteranFounders #Cybersecurity #L

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