Ep. 144 From Navy SIGINT to AI Warfare: Brian O’Connor’s Mission with Darksaber Labs

In this episode of the MilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Brian O’Connor — U.S. Navy veteran, former Tactical Information Operations Operator (TIO-O) with Naval Special Warfare, and now the CEO and Founder of Darksaber Labs, a cutting-edge defense technology company focused on AI, cyber, and electronic warfare at the tactical edge.

Brian shares his incredible journey from growing up in New York during 9/11 and enlisting in the Navy to becoming a key player in the intelligence and special operations community. He talks about his path through BUD/S, the challenges of being medically disqualified from SEAL training, and how that setback ultimately led him to a purpose-driven career in signals intelligence (SIGINT) and later, defense technology entrepreneurship.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• How adversity and adaptability shaped Brian’s military and entrepreneurial journey
• The evolution of SIGINT and electronic warfare and why “AI at the edge” is critical for the future fight
• Lessons learned from deployments to Iraq and Yemen supporting SEAL teams and coalition partners
• His decision to transition from military service to building Darksaber Labs
• Real-world advice for veterans breaking into the defense tech and startup ecosystem
• The power of networking, persistence, and understanding your value as a veteran in the private sector

Brian also dives into the complexities of working in the defense innovation space—from navigating government contracting and venture capital to understanding the congressional funding process and the importance of focus over “dual-use” distractions.

If you’re a veteran entrepreneur, a tech professional, or someone passionate about national security innovation, this episode offers a powerful look at resilience, leadership, and mission-driven purpose beyond the uniform.

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