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News | Nov. 30, 2018

December Enlisted Corps Spotlight

By United States Strategic Command Public Affairs

Sgt. Edward Fifer, target analyst with the Plans and Policy Directorate, hails from Gillette, Wyoming, and has 5 years, 6 months of military service.

 

Q: How does your job support USSTRATCOM and our missions?

A: I provide analytical research enabling target discovery through a codified targeting strategy, target system analysis and yearly entity-level maintenance to ensure USSTRATCOM is fulfilling national guidance, Unified Command Plan and joint staff requirements in order to achieve global adversary deterrence.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work at USSTRATCOM?

A: Working with the other branches of service to create and produce products has been the best part of being at USSTRATCOM. It’s allowed me to really expand my knowledge of the intelligence community as well as allowing me to share my past experience and knowledge with my co-workers.

Q: What has been a challenge for you regarding your work at USSTRATCOM and how have you overcome that challenge?

A: The hardest challenge so far has been trying to understand my job from a joint service perspective. Previously, I have only worked with Marines and Marine Corps Doctrine so working in a joint command and picking up on how other services think and operate and how all of it intertwines to contribute to command objectives has proven challenging. I am over coming this challenge by studying other services doctrine and also the USSTRATCOM doctrine and policy. I also ask a lot of questions to my colleagues and my chain of command.

Q: What has been your most memorable experience in the military?

A:  I served as the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Counterintelligence and Human intelligence Cell counterintelligence analyst from March of 2016 to May of 2017. During this time, I provided threat analysis for command personnel traveling to countries all over the world. I also provided bi-weekly counter intelligence summaries and vetted foreign visitors. The knowledge, advice, and comradery experienced during that time frame will stick with me throughout my Marine Corps career and long after.

Q: What is the one piece of information or advice about working at USSTRATCOM that you'd pass on to new members of the USSTRATCOM team?

A: Be prepared to absorb as much knowledge and advice from anyone and everyone at USSTRATCOM. Do not hesitate to ask questions if you do not understand something. Lastly, get involved and don’t be afraid to suggest new ideas to the command as it is always trying to move forward and provide opportunities for members of the unit to be heard.