Shaping Navy Warfighters: A Conversation with the Warfare Tactics Instructors

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PT

Location: Defense in Depth Stage - Hall A

Confirmed Moderator(s)

LCDR James D. Halsell, USN

Military Assistant to the Undersecretary of the Navy
Non-Resident Fellow, U.S. Naval Institute

Confirmed Speaker(s)

LT Macgregor Baxter, USN

Warfare Tactics Instructor
Naval Submarine Learning Center
LB

LT Michael Brady, USN

Warfare Tactics Instructor
Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center
LT Shelby Brueske, USN

Warfare Tactics Instructor
Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center
CDR Alexis Pospischil, USN

Warfare Tactics Instructor
Naval Information Warfighting Development Center

The Navy's warfare tactics instructors (WTIs) are the critical connective tissue between real-world operational experience and fleet-wide capability development. This panel brings together WTIs from across warfare communities to discuss how they capture lessons learned from real-world operations and ensure Navy teams receive timely and effective training. Hear directly from those shaping tactical proficiency across the fleet.