David Keith Sidewand

Assist and Assess Team College of Maritime Operational Warfare

Cmdr., U.S. Navy

Biography

Cmdr. David Sidewand grew up in Madison, Ohio. He attended Boston University through the Navy ROTC program and graduated with a B.A. in astronomy in 1997. He holds master’s degrees in international affairs (Webster University, 2009) and space studies (American Military University, 2015). He is a joint qualified officer. Cmdr. Sidewand started his Navy career in aviation, briefly re-designated to special operations in 1999 but ultimately designated as an intelligence officer in 2000. He has experience in the intelligence field from the tactical to the national level.

Contact Information

David.Sidewand@usnwc.edu

Areas of Expertise

Asymmetrical Warfare
Europe
Intel
Iran
Irregular Warfare
Joint Operations
NATO
Operational Warfare
Space
Special Operations

Professional Highlights

2017

US Special Operations Command Central (USSOCCENT) Deputy Director of Intelligence

Provided intelligence support to Commander for special operations and activities in the Central Command area of responsibility. Deployed to the Levant as plankowner director of intelligence for new SOCCENT regional task force.

2015

Joint Functional Component Command for Space Acting Director of Intelligence

Kept the JFCC Space Commander apprised of adversary space and counter-space threats and capabilities. Provided day to day leadership of JFCC Space intelligence enterprise and led intelligence effort for multiple US Strategic Command Exercises and US Air Force Space Command wargames.

2012

Officer in Charge, Maritime Liaison Unit Latin America

Supervised and conducted liaison activities between the US Navy and regional security partners and the commercial shipping industry within Central and South America and the Caribbean. Also acted as Deputy Director of US Southern Command HUMINT and Counter-Intelligence.

2009

NATO Headquarters Maritime Component Naples, Italy, Intelligence Officer

Primary duty as Analysis and Production Officer. Acted as afloat senior intelligence officer aboard the flagship for Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) ONE for the first month of Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. Ashore, acted as Analysis and Production Officer and Signals Intelligence Coordinator.

2007

Amphibious Squadron EIGHT Director of Intelligence

Provided and supervised intelligence support to operations at sea for Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group in the Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Gulf, off the Horn of Africa, and in the Bay of Bengal. Highlights include counter-piracy operations off Somalia and humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh.

2003

Defense Intelligence Agency Quick Reaction Division (QRD) Plankowner

Assigned to Defense Intelligence Agency, Directorate for MASINT and Technical Collection, QRD. Highlights include support to Iraq Survey Group in 2004. Planned and participated in multiple technical collection operations worldwide.

2001

Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ONE Detachment Misawa Intelligence Officer

Provided intelligence support to P-3C aircrews deployed to Misawa and conducting maritime patrol flights in the northern Pacific and Sea of Japan. Deployed to Bahrain to support P-3 operations in the Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea and to the Philippines to support counter-terrorism operations.

Education

M.S., Space Studies

M.A., International Relations

B.A., Astronomy

Related Credentials

Joint Qualified Officer

U.S. Navy Space Cadre

Awards and Decorations

Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Five decorations

Joint Commendation Medal

Navy Commendation Medal

Navy Achievement Medal

Combat Action Ribbon

External Memberships and Associations

Project Management Institute

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