In part three of this special three-part series, hosts M. Scott Sparks and Jeremy J. Clark continue their in-depth roundtable with retired U.S. Army CW5s and senior counterintelligence (CI) professionals Glenn Jones, Shawn Michaud, Mike Dye, and Traci Goodwin.

The panel tackles one of the most consequential organizational questions facing the CI enterprise today: Should counterintelligence transition to a single, unified career track, or preserve its specialized roles? Drawing on decades of operational experience and strategic leadership, they examine the advantages and risks of both models, exploring how force structure influences readiness, expertise, professional identity, and long-term mission effectiveness.

The conversation breaks down the core functions of CI, including collections, operations, investigations, analysis, and functional services, and examines how each discipline contributes to detecting, assessing, and countering foreign intelligence threats. The group discusses the real-world impact of integration versus stovepiping and addresses enduring challenges in talent management, training pipelines, certification standards, and collection management. Throughout the discussion, they offer candid insights and practical recommendations for building a more agile, capable, and lethal CI force.

Listeners will also hear compelling historical vignettes and candid deployment stories that bring doctrine to life, illustrating how CI professionals adapt under pressure and evolve with the threat environment.

The episode concludes with direct, experience-driven advice for CI warrant officers and leaders on how to stay operationally relevant, advocate effectively for resources, develop depth without sacrificing breadth, and lead teams that are disciplined, adaptable, and ready to protect U.S. national security interests in an increasingly contested world.