In the first of a two-part series, host Ken Miller brings the podcast back to basics and answers key questions newer listeners may not have thought about: Why are members of the electromagnetic warfare and spectrum operations community called crows? Why is the moniker so key to understanding our mission and identity?

In today’s episode, Ken is joined by John Mazluff, Professor of Wildlife Science at the University of Washington and author of “Gifts of the Crow” and “In the Company of Crows and Ravens.” Together, they unpack what makes these birds so remarkable and what EMSO warfighters share in common with some of the most intelligent birds in the world.

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In discussions of electromagnetic warfare, experts and enthusiasts often discuss the lethal and destructive capabilities of the technology. But effective disruption is a key element to mission success, and today’s guest is at the forefront of conversations on agility and cost effectiveness in the EW space.

But first, host Ken Miller welcomes John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED), AOC’s official monthly publication. Ken and John wrap up AOC 2025 by sharing highlights of the week’s keynote speakers and sessions. 

Then, Ken speaks with Disruptive EW Machines CEO David Coyle about the role of EW disruption in operation success and making sure warfighters are as agile and adaptive as possible.

Coyle says his company can deploy systems at a fraction of the cost of other legacy systems, reflecting a larger push from the Department of War to quickly deploy agile, adaptive systems. Coyle says this approach reflects the reality of modern electromagnetic warfare, which requires warfighters to rapidly build and train tactics against newer, more complex unidentified threats.

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Kevin Finch, AOC Board of Director and chair of this year’s symposium. Ken and Kevin tie together the major themes shared during this week’s presentations. Later, Ken is joined by the awardees of this year’s AOC Future Five. Each year, the AOC Foundation recognizes five young professionals as the Future 5, showcasing those who actively innovate and strive for excellence as they build their careers in electromagnetic warfare, electromagnetic spectrum operation, and information operations. Congratulations to this year's winners!

We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or visit us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast
 

To learn more about AOC 2025, please visit here.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Day 2 Keynote Speaker Congressman Don Bacon. Congressman Bacon is Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, IT and Innovation, US House of Representatives. Prior to his time in Congress, Congressman Bacon served 29 years in the US Air Force before retiring as a Brigidier General. They cover a range of topics including the congressional defense budget, the new National Security Strategy, and acquisition reform. 

Next, Ken is joined once again by John Knowles, Editor-in-Chief of the AOC’s Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED), for his thoughts on the Day 2 agenda that also includes sessions on Counter Drone Warfare, the requirements process, and tactical evolution in the European Theater.

In this episode of From the Crows' Nest, Ken Miller is joined by opening keynote Speaker Laurie Buckhout. Laurie is the former Assistant National Cyber Director for Policy at the White House. Together, they discuss the challenge of strengthening leadership for EMSO across the Department of War and the military service.

Later, Ken is joined by John Knowles, the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED). John shares his thoughts on the message that attendees will hear throughout the week as they discuss charting a path for EMSO over the next decade.

We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or visit us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast

To learn more about today’s topic visit here.

Since the founding of America’s first centralized modern intelligence agency during World War II, today’s guest Anthony Vinci says that current agencies have undergone several revolutions in how espionage was done. But Vinci says we’re in the midst of a fourth revolution, changing the rules of espionage for nations and non-state actors alike.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller is joined by Vinci, a former intelligence officer and author of “The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America.” Vinci says new asymmetric approaches to espionage combined with emerging technology has democratized intelligence, putting civilians at risk and threatening to leave America’s agencies at a disadvantage if they don’t adapt.

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, Ken Miller is joined by Mike Alperi, Deputy Program Manager of PMS 408 Expeditionary Missions Program Office at the Naval Sea Systems Command, to talk about his involvement in NATO Subgroup One and its cross-country collaborative Thor’s Hammer exercise — an initiative that allows systems from different nations to be tested side-by-side against cutting edge UAS and IED threats.

Alperi says the annual four-week program has greatly expanded over the last decade, growing from five participating nations in 2015 to 14 countries last year. Crucially, he says the scope of Thor’s Hammer has grown over the years, from just counter-ID and counter-UAS training to countering emerging small radio frequency threats. 

Alperi says the subgroup shares the information from these tests with participating countries around the world, making sure key allies have the best information available as EW technologies continue to rapidly evolve.

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

As the holidays approach, From the Crows’ Nest host Ken Miller takes a step back from regularly scheduled programming and is joined once again by producer Laura Krebs to answer more listener questions.

The pair unpack the recent government shutdown and how it affected America’s defense sector, as well as how EMSO dominance factors into potential conflicts with Iran and China. Ken also explains how Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s recent acquisition reform strategy may impact EMSO and defense operations. Then, he gives a sneak peek into an episode set to release in January.

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

Between the Russo-Ukrainian War and the looming threat of China invading Taiwan, the landscape of global conflict has changed… and today’s guest says the strategies for U.S. dominance have to change along with it. 

In this episode of From the Crows’ Nest, host Ken Miller joins retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General David Deptula, current Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Power Studies to examine what America is doing right and wrong in efforts to meet new threats worldwide.

Deptula said that while the United States has built a spectrum of systems that give the nation and its allies a technological advantage, America hasn’t kept pace with building enough capacity to deter adversaries around the world. Deptula says officials need to steer away from just trying to optimize existing systems and recommit building the military services branches back up to meet new regional conflicts as they arise.

To learn more about today’s topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

Host Ken Miller welcomes Scott "Sherm" Oliver, AOC Board Member and expert on Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO), for a conversation during a busy week of meetings on the Hill. Together, they discuss AOC’s ongoing advocacy for the Congressional Electronic Warfare Working Group, share impressions from their meetings with lawmakers, and reflect on the growing recognition of EMSO’s importance.

They discuss the need for strong leadership and education within both Congress and the Department of War, the urgency of taking bold action to maintain US advantage in the spectrum, and the surprising role that Hollywood and storytelling can play in shaping public understanding. Considering today’s global challenges, including competition with China, the episode provides an inside look at how awareness and advocacy are driving progress in EMSO.

We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at [email protected] or visit us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast

To learn more about today’s topic and the upcoming AOC 2025, visit here.