Experience

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  Redhorse Corporation

  • Pentagon

  • Special Operations Intelligence SME

    • Dec 2015 - Present
    • Pentagon

    Enable Special Operations activities through advocacy with Congress and the Interagency while assisting in refining and executing effective intelligence oversight. Work within the Interagency to enhance intelligence support to Special Operations activities, especially with regards to countering malign influences in Europe.

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  US Military Observer Group

  • Arlington, VA

  • Commander

    • Jul 2014 - Aug 2015
    • Arlington, VA

    Command and Control authority for all US Military, across the Joint Force, serving in UN Peacekeeping Missions and in Headquarters UN. Implement Department of Defense policy on behalf of the Secretary of the Army, regarding personnel, logistics, administration, force protection, quality of life, and operations in support of Peacekeeping Missions. Supervise and direct training, equipping, deployment, and redeployment all US Military Observers to UN missions. Responsible for monitoring US military participation in, and support of, the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), a multinational peacekeeping operation outside the auspices of the UN. Advises the DoD leadership on the composition and utilization of US individuals and teams in support of new Peacekeeping missions.

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  U.S. Army Central, Third U.S. Army

  • Chief, International Military Affairs

    • May 2012 - May 2014

    Manage a 21-person military and civilian staff to plan and execute Security Cooperation activities with partner nations across the Middle East and Central Asian States. Cultivate military to military engagements, deepening relationships between USARCENT Commander and senior military leaders of partner nations in order to ensure access and enhance the overall US Government relationship with these nations. Personally responsible for the Shape Line of Effort in the ARCENT Campaign Plan. Also supervise the development of political/military/economic/informational metrics to inform and advise the Commander on regional developments.

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  US Army

  • Senior Service College Fellow

    • May 2010 - May 2011

    Working with The Washington Institute while conducting research on the use of all elements of USG "soft power" to undermine extremist messaging. I am looking at ways to enhance cooperative relationships between the DoD, State Dept, and USAID to maximize the effectiveness of those missions. I have recently published a short article in Small Wars Journal on the topic, http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/journal/docs-temp/720-kotlow.pdf

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  USDAO Sana'a, Yemen

  • Yemen

  • Defense and Army Attache

    • Aug 2008 - Jul 2010
    • Yemen

    Represent the Secretary of Defense while advising the U.S. Ambassador on regional political/military affairs. Provide timely updates to National Command Authorities on all political/military issues in country. Actively coordinate the activities of all Department of Defense personnel assigned to work with other agencies in the Embassy and responsible for the clearance of all military personnel and traffic into country or across its airspace. Supervise the planning and coordination for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) and Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO).

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  USDAO Beirut, Lebanon

  • Beirut, Lebanon

  • Defense and Army Attache

    • Jun 2005 - May 2007
    • Beirut, Lebanon

    Represent the Secretary of Defense while advising the U.S. Ambassador on regional political/military affairs. Supervise the operational direction of the Defense Attache Office (DAO) to ensure accurate and timely information concerning the political/military situation for the U.S. Ambassador, Defense Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Council. Actively coordinate the activities of all Department of Defense personnel assigned to work with other agencies in the Embassy and responsible for the clearance of all military personnel and traffic into country or across its airspace. Supervise the planning and coordination for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) and Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO).

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  III Corps, U.S. Army, MNC-I

  • Baghdad, Iraq

  • Political Military Adviser

    • Jun 2004 - Feb 2005
    • Baghdad, Iraq

    Advise the Commander III Corps/Multi-National Corps-Iraq on political/military issues in the region with special emphasis on social/cultural context and likely impact on missions. Assist Corps Staff in planning of military operations ensuring integration of social/cultural considerations and awareness of likely regional impact. Provide liaison on behalf of the Commander to Department of State, counterparts in Multi-National Force-Iraq, as well as Iraqi military and designated civilian leadership. Assist the re-formation of the Iraqi Joint Staff and advise the Iraqi Minister of Defense.

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  USDAO, Sana'a, Yemen

  • Sana'a, Yemen

  • Assistant Army Attache

    • May 2002 - May 2004
    • Sana'a, Yemen

    Represent the Secretary of Defense while advising the U.S. Ambassador on regional political/military affairs in the absence of the Defense Attache. Supervise a staff of civilian, enlisted and local national personnel. Organize and direct the operational direction of the Defense Attache Office (DAO) to ensure accurate and timely information concerning the political/military situation for the U.S. Ambassador, Defense Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Council. Personally support the overflight and/or landing of all official U.S. Government flights.

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  Office of the Program Manager, Saudi Arabian National Guard

  • Hofuf, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

  • Field Artillery Advisor

    • May 1998 - Apr 1999
    • Hofuf, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Advise the commander of an 800-person Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) field artillery battalion on U.S. doctrine, training programs, maintenance, communications and logistics systems. Ensure the Saudi commander and his staff were able to integrate battlefield operating systems and apply current tactics and procedures during simulated combat field training exercises. Build professional rapport with the commander and senior leaders in the battalion in order to facilitate future military to military relations.

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  5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

  • Ft. Campbell, KY

  • Detachment (A) Commander

    • Jun 1995 - Mar 1998
    • Ft. Campbell, KY

    Supervise the training, combat readiness, discipline, professional development and welfare of one warrant officer and ten senior non-commissioned officers comprising seven different military specialties. Supervise the preparations for Special Forces missions of Special Reconnaissance, Foreign Internal Defense, Unconventional Warfare and Coalition Warfare, across the Middle East. Supervise the maintenance and accountability of four combat vehicles, two motorcycles and a variety of specialized combat equipment worth over $600,000.

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  Alpha Battery, 40th Field Artillery

  • Hanau, Germany

  • Executive Officer

    • Apr 1991 - Jun 1992
    • Hanau, Germany

    Primarily responsible for the training, movement, and operations of a 160-person unit. Plan and supervised the return of four MLRS launchers and associated vehicles after Operation Desert Storm. Lead unit recovery from combat resulting in a rapid return to collective and live fire training. Plan and execute relocation of the entire unit and their families from Hanau to Bamberg, Germany while concurrently deploying families back to the U.S. as part of the unit re-organization.