AFCEA/USNI WEST 2026

Shaping Navy Warfighters: A Conversation with the Warfare Tactics Instructors (Room Defense in Depth Stage - Hall A)

10 Feb 26
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Tracks: Lethality & Warfighting, Panel

Speaker(s): LT Macgregor Baxter, USN, Warfare Tactics Instructor, Naval Submarine Learning Center; LT Michael Brady, USN, Warfare Tactics Instructor, Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center; LT Shelby Brueske, USN, Warfare Tactics Instructor, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center; LCDR James D. Halsell, USN, Military Assistant to the Undersecretary of the Navy, Non-Resident Fellow, U.S. Naval Institute; CDR Alexis Pospischil, USN, Warfare Tactics Instructor, Naval Information Warfighting Development Center

The Navy's warfare tactics instructors (WTIs) are the critical connective tissue between real-world operational experience and fleet-wide capability development. This panel brings together WTIs from across warfare communities to discuss how they capture lessons learned from real-world operations and ensure Navy teams receive timely and effective training. Hear directly from those shaping tactical proficiency across the fleet.