Olly — retired Navy SEAL, former Commander within DEVGRU, and apparently our new favorite person to follow into the mountains — is leading Morning PT at the inaugural Whitefish Security Summit this April 2–3.

Day One kicks off with a hike into the peaks surrounding Whitefish, Montana. The kind of hike where your legs start negotiating with your brain around mile two. The payoff: a panoramic view of the valley that makes you forget you can’t feel your quads.

Day Two is where things get interesting.

Olly decided the group needs a swim. In Whitefish Lake. In Montana. One thousand meters of aggressively cold water. Wetsuits are encouraged!

For reference, here’s the official spirit animal of Morning PT:

Everyone who gets in the water will finish. Nobody mutinies. A few people may question their life choices somewhere around the 500m mark — but they’ll keep swimming. Which is basically the whole point.

And when it’s over? Olly personally signs your Certificate of Survival — because if you voluntarily entered freezing water under command of a former DEVGRU Commanding Officer, that deserves official documentation.

👉 Register now at whitefishsecuritysummit.com

This is your invitation.

The Whitefish Security Summit isn’t just two days of frank, substantive conversation about the world’s most pressing security challenges — it’s a full experience, set against the unspoiled wilderness of Glacier Country. No vendor booths. No political theater. No warm lakes.

Seats are limited and going fast.

👉 Register now at whitefishsecuritysummit.com

See you out there. Wetsuits are optional. Excuses are not.

The summit, founded by Jeffrey Caruso and developed with Lobo Institute co-founders Michael “Mick” Mulroy and Eric “Olly” Oehlerich, will convene experts from the intelligence community, special operations forces, diplomacy, economics, and journalism. Discussions will address issues ranging from geopolitical conflict and cyber threats to the rapid rise of autonomous and advanced military technologies.

At a time of increasing global instability, organizers say the goal is to create a setting that supports frank, cross-sector dialogue outside traditional Washington policy circles.

“Complex security challenges demand perspectives from across government and society,” said Mulroy and Oehlerich. “We want to foster serious conversations that connect operational experience with broader policy and public understanding.”

The rebranded summit will follow the April 2–3, 2026 Montana Intelligence Summit and is intended to become a recurring, invitation-focused gathering. By drawing inspiration from international forums such as the Aspen Security Forum and the Munich Security Conference, WSS aims to establish a new center for security dialogue in the American West.

“This partnership enables us to scale the summit into a lasting platform for global engagement,” said Caruso. “We’re building a forum that connects Montana to conversations shaping international security.”

About the Principals

Jeffrey Caruso, Founder — A veteran cyber warfare researcher and author of Inside Cyber Warfare, Caruso has briefed the CIA, DIA, FBI, and the Chief of Naval Operations. He is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and the founder of the Montana Intelligence Summit.

Eric “Olly” Oehlerich, Lobo Institute — A retired Navy SEAL officer and former Commanding Officer of DEVGRU (Squadron 2), Oehlerich focuses on advanced research and development and the integration of high-fidelity sensor technologies for national security applications.

Mick Mulroy, Lobo Institute — A former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East and retired CIA paramilitary operations officer, Mulroy is a retired U.S. Marine and a national security analyst for ABC News.

About the Whitefish Security Summit

The Whitefish Security Summit (WSS) is an invitation-focused forum that fosters collaboration between senior leaders in government, the military, intelligence, industry, and academia. Through strictly limited attendance and off-the-record discussion, WSS provides a secure environment for addressing complex global threats and advancing practical solutions.

About the Lobo Institute

The Lobo Institute is a national security–focused organization dedicated to strengthening collaboration between military, intelligence, and policy communities. Founded by experienced special operations and intelligence professionals, the Institute develops programs, partnerships, and public engagement initiatives aimed at improving strategic understanding and operational effectiveness in an evolving global security environment.

From April 2–3, 2026, between 100 and 200 operators, creators, analysts, producers, case officers, journalists, investors, and leaders from dual-use technology companies will converge in Whitefish, Montana for the first annual Montana Intelligence Summit, known as MI:1. Future summits will follow as MI:2, MI:3, and beyond.

MI:1 builds on the 14-year Suits and Spooks tradition of shaping a revolution in security affairs, expanding its scope beyond intelligence and technology to the increasingly important intersection between the Intelligence Community and the entertainment industry.

At its core, the Summit exists to improve the realism, responsibility, and nuance of how intelligence, conflict, and national security are portrayed on screen and in popular culture, while confronting a deeper truth: narrative, social media, and entertainment have become primary battlegrounds in persuasion, division, and distraction.

This is where intelligence professionals and storytellers meet not to posture, but to confront the consequences of the stories we tell and the power they carry.

Venues: A Walkable Intelligence Ecosystem

Unlike traditional conferences confined to a single ballroom, MI:1 turns the town of Whitefish itself into a living intelligence ecosystem for two and a half days.

Attendees will receive an MI:1 Briefing Book containing:

• A map of all session venues

• A curated list of hotels

• Insider recommendations for the best burgers, breakfasts, coffee, and cocktails

• A detailed schedule of sessions by time and location, including VIP meet-and-greets

The result is a summit that feels less like a conference and more like an embedded assignment.

Activities: Montana, Operationally

Early April is an ideal time to experience Whitefish. Crowds are lighter, the mountains still carry snow, and spring skiing, hiking, and outdoor exploration are all in play.

In addition to formal sessions, MI:1 will include:

• Early-morning physical training led by a retired Naval Special Warfare Command officer

• A treasure hunt designed to test navigation, observation, and orienteering skills

Participation is optional. Bragging rights are not.

Sessions: Confirmed and In Progress

The following list reflects the current agenda and will continue to evolve. A final schedule will be released to attendees one to two weeks prior to the Summit.

VIP Experiences

• VIP Lunch and Meet-and-Greet with General Stanley McChrystal and keynote speakers

• VIP Breakfast with members of Montana’s Congressional delegation (invited) and Governor Greg Gianforte (invited)

Featured Talks and Panels

• Action Films and the Intersection of U.S. Intelligence — Mills Goodloe

• Archetypes for AI Security and Governance in the National Security Sector — Benjamin Harvey, Ph.D.

• AI Cubed: Artificial Intelligence, Artistic Infringement, Anarchist Impact — Bianca Goodloe

• Blinding the Beholder: Adversarial Attacks to Defeat Autonomous Drones — Robi Sen

• Character as Strategy: Leadership for America’s Critical Frontiers — General Stanley McChrystal

• How Power Shapes the Story: Inside Hollywood’s Influence Machinery — Tatiana Siegel

• The Evolution of Intelligence Collection and the Need for Cultural Acuity in Analysis — Dave Tinsley

• Reel v. Real: The Melding of Espionage and Entertainment — Darrell M. Blocker

• SCRIPTED CRISIS: Turning Real-World Threats into Drama—and Drama into Understanding — Howard Gordon

• Secrets and Stories: Intelligence, Influence, and the Battle for Relevance — Fireside chat with Rodney Faraon, interviewed by Teresa Smetzer

• Wise Women, Hard Targets: Story, Strategy, and the Future of U.S. Security — Panel with Carmen Medina, Laura Thomas, and Rachel Grunspan

• Conflict in the Grey Zone: Operator Lessons — Panel with Mick Mulroy, Eric “Olly” Oehlerich, and RJ Casey, moderated by Susan Barrows Libby

• Panel with RJ Casey, Matt Westbrook, and a special guest (title to be announced)

Screening

• My Star in the Sky — A 30-minute documentary on child soldiers in Uganda, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers

Evening Program

• “Sip to Remember” bourbon tasting honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation, sponsored by Four Branches Bourbon

On January 1, 2026, ticket pricing will increase to standard rates. Early-bird tickets are available now.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.

For More Information and Tickets

We’re pleased to announce that Rodney Faraon is joining the Montana Intelligence Summit as our newest featured speaker.

Rodney brings a rare fusion of national-security experience and creative storytelling expertise. A 15-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency, he contributed to the President’s Daily Brief across two administrations, served as briefer and speechwriter to CIA Director George J. Tenet, and received the prestigious Director’s Medal for his service. After government, he founded The Walt Disney Company’s Global Intelligence practice and later co-founded Crumpton Global, where he now serves as Partner and Chief Creative Officer. His work in entertainment includes serving as the inspiration for — and executive producer of — NBC’s State of Affairs, along with consulting across film and television.

In addition to State of Affairs, Rodney has consulted on a range of intelligence-themed films and television series, including The Crossing (ABC), Homeland (Showtime), Blackhat (Legendary), The Blacklist (NBC), and the forthcoming The Billion Dollar Spy (Walden Media).

Rodney’s ability to translate complex global risk into narratives that illuminate, warn, and inspire makes him an extraordinary addition to the Summit.

🎟 Early Bird Registration Ends Soon
Tickets for the Montana Intelligence Summit are available now at Early Bird rates through December 31. Prices increase on January 1, so this is the ideal moment to secure your seat for two days of high-impact conversations with leaders from intelligence, national security, technology, journalism, and Hollywood.

👉 Reserve your Early Bird ticket today and be part of the inaugural Montana Intelligence Summit:

Count Me In

Purpose and mission

The Montana Intelligence Summit builds on the 14‑year Suits & Spooks tradition of “shaping a revolution in security affairs” by expanding its focus from intelligence and tech to the natural nexus between the Intelligence Community and the entertainment industry. The event’s purpose is to improve the realism and nuance of on‑screen portrayals of intelligence and conflict, while highlighting how narrative, social media, and popular culture are now central battlegrounds in persuasion, division, and distraction.​

Format and experience

Structured as an intimate, curated gathering rather than a traditional trade conference, the summit emphasizes interactive sessions, in‑depth panels, and informal networking over large keynotes and expo halls. Attendees can also participate in special offerings such as a VIP lunch and book signing with featured speakers, underscoring the event’s focus on direct access and substantive dialogue.​

Strategic goals

Through this inaugural Montana event, Suits & Spooks aims to establish an annual national security summit in the Rocky Mountain West that attracts both senior practitioners and emerging voices. The organizers intend for the summit to seed new collaborations, influence future projects in Hollywood and streaming media, and foster a more informed public debate about intelligence, technology, and the evolving character of conflict.​

Featured Speakers and Sessions

The Montana Intelligence Summit will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers and sessions that reflect the event’s unique focus on the intersection of intelligence, leadership, technology, and entertainment.

General Stan McChrystal (U.S. Army, retired) will deliver a keynote address titled “Character as Strategy: Leadership for America’s Critical Frontiers,” examining how values‑based leadership shapes outcomes in an era of complex security challenges.

“Wise Women, Hard Targets: Story, Strategy, and the Future of U.S. Security” will bring together CIA veterans Carmen Medina, Laura Thomas, and Rachel Grunspan for a candid panel discussion on how narrative, diversity of perspective, and analytic tradecraft inform U.S. strategy in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

In “Reel v Real: The Melding of Espionage and Entertainment,” Darrell M. Blocker (CIA, retired) will explore how real‑world intelligence operations collide and converge with their on‑screen portrayals, and what that means for public understanding of espionage.

Robi Sen, co‑founder and CTO of Department 13, will present “Blinding the Beholder: Adversarial Attacks to Defeat Autonomous Drones,” offering an insider’s view of emerging counter‑drone techniques and their implications for future conflicts.

Entertainment attorney, financier, and producer Bianca Goodloe will lead “AI Cubed – Artificial Intelligence, Artistic Infringement, Anarchist Impact,” addressing the legal, creative, and disruptive dimensions of AI at the crossroads of copyright, culture, and security.

In “The Evolution of Intelligence Collection and the Need for Cultural Acuity in Analysis,” Dave Tinsley (DEA, retired; founder, Five Stones Intelligence) will trace the changing nature of collection and emphasize why cultural understanding is now a critical component of effective intelligence work.

Screenwriter and director Mills Goodloe will discuss how high‑impact storytelling shapes perceptions of national security in “Action Films and the Intersection of U.S. Intelligence,” highlighting the feedback loop between Hollywood narratives and real‑world policy debates.

Finally, “So You Want to Build a Defense Startup,” presented by angel investor and venture capitalist Lance Cottrell, founder of Anonymizer, will offer practical insights for entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the defense and national security innovation ecosystem.

For More Information

I pulled footage from some oldies but goodies that are now in the public domain - The House on Haunted Hill (1959), Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957), and The Phantom Planet (1961).

Feel free to share on your own social media channels.

More information is at www.suitsandspooks.com. Early bird pricing is now in effect through October 31, 2025.

This will be a short announcement.

The X Files.

24.

Homeland.

Need I say more?

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