In a candid fireside chat, Primer’s CEO Sean Moriarty sat down with Retired Vice Admiral Collin Green, Primer’s federal advisor, to discuss the realities of modern warfare and the role of technology in maintaining a strategic advantage. With over 38 years of service as a Navy SEAL and most recently as Deputy Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, Vice Admiral Green brought a wealth of experience to the conversation. Here are the key takeaways from their discussion on the evolving threats and technological innovations shaping the future of defense.
The evolving role of technology in warfare
Throughout his decades of service, Vice Admiral Green witnessed firsthand how warfare transformed alongside rapid technological advancements. From his early days as a young officer to his leadership roles at the highest levels of command, the battlefield became increasingly defined by the tools and innovations that could offer a strategic edge.
As Green’s career progressed, the tools of warfare evolved rapidly, with technology emerging as a key enabler of effective leadership on the battlefield. He reflected on Desert Storm, where GPS technology was first introduced, allowing unprecedented precision in both navigation and strike capabilities. This leap in accuracy marked a critical shift in how wars were fought, transforming operations in ways that were unimaginable at the time. From signals intelligence to exploiting data through the interception of cell phone communications, technology soon became integral to nearly every aspect of warfare, enhancing the military’s ability to track, target, and neutralize adversaries with greater efficiency.
“Innovation isn’t always a big idea—it can be as simple as a soldier tinkering with their gear in the field,” Green explained. He emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of risk-takers and intellectual curiosity within military organizations, a mindset that is essential for adapting and evolving in an environment where technology plays a critical role.
Challenges on today’s battlefield
Green didn’t shy away from addressing the complexities of today’s global conflicts. From Russia and Ukraine to the Middle East and China’s growing influence in the Pacific, the challenges are diverse.
Green highlighted the “bromance of autocracies,” referring to the alliances between countries like North Korea, Iran, and Russia, which complicates the U.S.’s ability to sustain and modernize its defense capabilities. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong defense industrial base and warned of the consequences of operating under continuing resolutions, which hinder innovation and the ability to adapt quickly.
The promise and limitations of AI in defense
Artificial intelligence (AI) is undoubtedly one of the most transformative technologies in modern defense, and Vice Admiral Green expressed optimism about its role in enhancing decision-making for analysts, operators, and leaders. However, he underscored the need for a “human in the loop” approach to ensure that AI is used responsibly and effectively.
“AI and autonomy are revolutionizing military affairs,” Green noted. “But we need to ensure that technology like AI is used to protect the force and enhance the mission, not replace human judgment.”
He pointed to his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, where technology shifted the approach to “finding and fixing” enemy positions—tasks that were once manual and are now increasingly driven by data exploitation and analysis. The challenge moving forward is to integrate AI into existing workflows while keeping human oversight at the forefront.
Moving forward with a sense of urgency
While the private sector has driven innovation in defense, Green emphasized the need for quicker adoption and deployment of new technologies within the military. He pointed to examples like Ukraine, where software changes every two weeks to keep pace with the needs of the battlefield.
“The pace of technological change in private companies is faster than what we see in defense,” Green stated. “We need to move quicker if we’re going to compete effectively.”
He called for more authorities, creativity, and partnerships to break through the barriers of slow-moving acquisition processes and ensure that emerging technologies like AI are fielded at the speed necessary to stay ahead of adversaries.
A hopeful future for defense innovation
Despite the challenges, Green remains hopeful. He expressed deep admiration for the men and women in uniform, as well as the industry professionals committed to advancing national defense. In particular, he praised Primer’s role in making sense of messy data and using AI to derive actionable insights that help analysts make quicker, more informed decisions.
“I miss it—the service, the people—but I’m proud to be part of something bigger now,” Green said. “The industry has a huge role to play, and there are so many people here just as committed to national defense as I was in uniform.”
As the fireside chat came to a close, it was clear that the conversation between Moriarty and Green was not just a reflection on the past but a call to action for the future. The 21st-century battlefield is complex, and maintaining a strategic edge requires both technological innovation and a deep commitment to leadership and purpose.
At Primer, we’re proud to be at the forefront of that innovation, helping defense leaders like Vice Admiral Green harness the power of AI to stay ahead of tomorrow’s threats.
