Intelligence Analyst
Hawai‘i National Guard
Specialist: Austin Bennett
By Sue Kiyabu • Photos by Scott T. Kubo
In a Honolulu meeting room, Specialist Austin Bennett stands in front of a large projected map of Afghanistan. In this mock briefing, the relief of roadways, mountains and waterways create squiggling lines across his face. Standing in military fatigues and pointing to various spots on the map, he briefs his commanders of a fictional situation—using military terms like UAV, IED and others, terms not easily recognized by ordinary civilians. In addition to information such as last-known sightings, geographics and tactical maneuvers, he also provides his senior officers with cultural background of the area. Although this is a mock simulation, his professional manner and delivery are true to form.
Two years ago, he might not have understood his own report. But today, Bennett works as an intelligence analyst in the Hawai‘i National Guard. He interprets data from a variety of sources—unmanned area vehicles (UAV), human intelligence reports and signals collection—and then presents a clear picture for his commanders. It is a highly selective specialty and requires focus, determination and an aptitude for understanding complex systems.
“His job is to figure out or anticipate the enemy’s next move,” says Cmdr. Stoddard Binder. “And how we can counteract it.”
A 2003 graduate of Saint Louis, Bennett says he didn’t envision himself working for the government or in the military. In high school, he had vague notions of “going into business.” He tried college on the Mainland. He tried working as a DJ on weekends. He tried working in retail. He tried working as a security guard.
“I never really thought about the future when I was growing up,” says the 23-year-old Bennett. “I kept thinking, I’ll worry about it later. But then, I thought, I can’t worry about it later, because it’s happening now.”
So he joined the Guard. After taking a series of tests called Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Tests (ASVABT), Bennett discovered that his high scores and clean record opened up many new doors, including a spot in the selective intelligence group.
“Oh, intel, I thought that sounds kind of James Bondish,” Bennett says. “I looked up what I could do as a civilian after my term with the military, and it was a real good opportunity for me.” His high security clearance puts Bennett in line to work for “the alphabet soup agencies”—the FBI, CIA. He plans to continue working within the intelligence community.
Although there are many residents who join the Guard part time, Bennett works full time. Next semester he plans to take classes at Kapi‘olani Community College and the University of Hawai‘i. He enjoys the military community and cites discipline, organization, teamwork and communication, as learned skills he believes will prove valuable to his future.
“I like to think that I’m getting myself ready to impact the world,” Bennett says. “As an intel analyst you have a global view of what’s happening. You look at all aspects of everything and have a 360-degree view of the world. You work your butt off for the guys who are outside the wire, providing the right information so that they can come home safe. That’s what matters the most.”