Michael Schwille

@MichaelSchwille on Twitter

Full Policy Researcher

Pittsburgh Office

Education

M.A. in international development studies, George Washington University; B.A. in history, University of Pittsburgh

One Page Bio

Overview

Mike Schwille is a political scientist at RAND. His primary research interest focuses on the integration of information into combined arms warfare. He has experience with Joint, Army and Marine Corps concept development, Operations in the Information Environment, countering A2AD strategies, strategic workforce analysis and force development. While at RAND, he has led NSRD and Arroyo projects relating to Information Operations Intelligence Integration, the creation of the Army’s Information concept, and tactically focused Information Operations. He also has intelligence community and military experience focusing on target development, mapping social and cultural networks, and building partner capacity. He is qualified as a Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations and Information Operations Army Reservist that has deployed multiple times with the US Army to the Middle East and Africa. He earned his M.A. in international development studies from George Washington University.

Research Focus

Concurrent Non-RAND Positions

15th Psychological Operations Battalion Commander

Commentary

photo</a> by SpaceX/ <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">CC BY 2.0</a>"/>
Satellites

Satellite Internet Services—Fostering the Dictator's Dilemma?
The ability to provide relatively low cost internet access outside of government control is both a challenge for authoritarian states and an opportunity for democracies. What are low-altitude, low-latency satellites and why are authoritarian states so concerned?
Apr 12, 2021
Small Wars Journal
Data Privacy

Your Personal Information Could End Up in the Hands of Foreign Investors
If you've ever rented a property, you may have wondered what happens to the sensitive information on your application. Recent concerns over the foreign harvesting of personal information for questionable purposes should worry everyone.
Dec 16, 2020
Inside Sources

Publications

Report
New Directions for Projecting Land Power in the Indo-Pacific: Contexts, Constraints, and Concepts
This report seeks to address how the U.S. Army can most effectively project and employ land power in the Indo-Pacific, during competition and conflict, with a focus on scenarios involving China.
Dec 20, 2022
Report
The Role of Information in U.S. Concepts for Strategic Competition
A detailed enumeration of activities, a synthesis of expert consensus on challenges to gray zone competition, and a dynamic menu of solutions can enhance the U.S. competitive position in the gray zone and beyond.
Oct 25, 2022
Tool
Command Narrative Smart Guide
This quick reference provides the big-picture basics for successful command narrative development and deployment.
Nov 15, 2021
Report
Developing, Disseminating, and Assessing Command Narrative: Anchoring Command Efforts on a Coherent Story
Drawing on the scientific literature and lessons learned from the joint force, the authors of this report describe best practices for the effective use of command narrative.
Nov 15, 2021
Tool
Handbook for Tactical Operations in the Information Environment
With its quick-reference format and series of illustrative vignettes, this handbook facilitates problem-solving and highlights how early-career officers in tactical units can contribute to operations in the information environment.
Oct 4, 2021
Report
Combating Foreign Disinformation on Social Media: Study Overview and Conclusions
Disinformation campaigns on social media pose a nuanced threat to the United States, but the response remains ad hoc and uncoordinated. This overview of a five-volume series presents ways to better prepare for this new age of information warfare.
Jul 19, 2021
Journal Article
The Evolution of Special Operations as a Model for Information Forces
This article draws an analogy between special operations and information forces and suggests the history and evolution of SOF could serve as a model and provide lessons for the development of information forces.
Feb 19, 2021
Research Brief
Improving Intelligence Support for Operations in the Information Environment
Challenges to effective intelligence support for operations in the information environment (OIE) can be addressed by improving processes, prioritizing support for OIE, training and educating personnel, and optimally allocating personnel.
Dec 9, 2020
Report
Intelligence Support for Operations in the Information Environment: Dividing Roles and Responsibilities Between Intelligence and Information Professionals
Operations in the information environment require close coordination between intelligence and information operations personnel, but this does not often occur in practice. A review of these challenges highlighted a range of potential solutions.
Dec 9, 2020
Report
Civilian Post-Deployment Reintegration: A Review and Analysis of Practices Across U.S. Federal Agencies
This report reviews and analyzes assessments of the practices that U.S. federal agencies use to reintegrate civilians following domestic or overseas deployments to high-threat environments.
Feb 11, 2020
Report
Acquisition and Use of MANPADS Against Commercial Aviation: Risks, Proliferation, Mitigation, and Cost of an Attack
This report provides a summary of the risks, proliferation, costs of man-portable air defense system attacks against commercial aviation targets. It also presents mitigation options against such an attack.
Dec 30, 2019
Report
Army Expeditionary Civilian Demand: Forecasting Future Requirements for Civilian Deployments
As the largest provider of government civilians to support U.S. military operations, the Army stands to benefit to a great extent from a more robust process for forecasting future demand for its civilian workforce.
Oct 24, 2019
Research Brief
The Battle for Baghdad: Institutionalizing Army Lessons for Urban Combat
This brief recounts the U.S. Army's efforts in the Iraq War, especially in Baghdad, and offers lessons learned and recommendations to enable leaders and soldiers to be better prepared in future conflicts.
Jul 3, 2019
Report
The U.S. Army and the Battle for Baghdad: Lessons Learned — And Still to Be Learned
To help the U.S. Army and U.S. Department of Defense retain institutional knowledge and fully prepare future leaders, RAND researchers recount the Army's efforts in the Iraq War, especially in Baghdad, and offer lessons learned and recommendations.
Jun 12, 2019
Report
Service Member Separation: Updating the DD Form 214
This report offers suggestions for updating DD Form 214, which is used to characterize separating servicemembers' service, military history, and the reasons for separation, for electronic delivery.
May 14, 2019
Report
Pacific Engagement: Forging Tighter Connections Between Tactical Security Cooperation Activities and U.S. Strategic Goals in the Asia-Pacific Region
This report examines U.S. Army security cooperation (SC) processes in the Pacific Command area of responsibility to forge stronger links between strategic and tactical levels in the planning and execution of SC activities.
Oct 23, 2018
Report
Lessons from Others for Future U.S. Army Operations in and Through the Information Environment
An examination of the evolution of both allied and adversary use of information power, alongside a comparative analysis of capability areas in which these others excel, can guide future U.S. Army force planning.
Jun 7, 2018
Report
Lessons from Others for Future U.S. Army Operations in and Through the Information Environment: Case Studies
Twelve detailed case studies examine of the activities and strategic goals of allies, adversaries, and potential adversaries in and through the information environment, highlighting insights for U.S. Army planning.
Jun 7, 2018
Report
Human Capital Needs for the Department of Defense Operational Contract Support Planning and Integration Workforce
This comprehensive review of the U.S. Department of Defense operational contract support (OCS) planning and integration workforce identifies gaps between doctrine and practice, recommending several options to address these shortfalls.
Oct 2, 2017
Report
Assessing the Value of Regionally Aligned Forces in Army Security Cooperation: An Overview
This report highlights recent RAND Arroyo Center research on the value of the Army's regionally aligned forces to U.S. security cooperation activities, particularly those conducted in Africa.
May 10, 2017
Report
Enabling the Global Response Force: Access Strategies for the 82nd Airborne Division
The Global Response Force is built for rapid response to unforeseen operations. This study recommends specific GRF access strategies for each geographic combatant command given constraints in aircraft, intermediate staging bases, and other factors.
Jul 28, 2016
Report
Expeditionary Civilians: Creating a Viable Practice of Civilian Deployment Within the U.S. Interagency Community and Among Foreign Defense Organizations
This report describes the requirements that generate the need for deployable civilians, the types of missions civilians support, and the methods that U.S. and foreign government organizations use to identify, select, track and deploy civilians.
Jun 9, 2016
Research Brief
Expeditionary Civilians: Informing Department of Defense Civilian Deployment Policy and Practice
RAND conducted an end-to-end review and analysis of Department of Defense civilian deployment to inform policy and practice for using deployable civilians to meet mission needs ten to 20 years into the future.
Jun 9, 2016
Report
Expeditionary Civilians: Creating a Viable Practice of Department of Defense Civilian Deployment
This research presents the results of a review and analysis of DoD civilian deployment, assesses the viability of DoD civilian deployment practice, and proposes a systematic approach to developing and maintaining DoD's civilian deployment capability.
Jun 9, 2016
Research Brief
Exploring Opportunities for Efficiency and Joint Provision of Services Using Nonappropriated Funds
In examining two areas (accounting and employee benefits) where the Department of Defense might spend less nonappropriated funding, RAND assessed costs and challenges and identified ways to manage organizational changes in the face of resistance.
May 31, 2016
Report
Sustaining Service Members and Their Families: Exploring Opportunities for Efficiency and Joint Provision of Services Using Nonappropriated Funds
RAND researchers assessed U.S. Department of Defense efforts to determine whether any administrative activities paid for with funding that was not congressionally appropriated could be consolidated -- and, if so, whether savings would occur.
May 31, 2016
Research Brief
Lessons from 13 Years of War Point to a Better U.S. Strategy
This brief summarizes seven lessons from the past 13 years of war and identifies critical requirements for land forces, special operations forces, and partners to collaborate successfully.
Dec 10, 2014
Report
Improving Strategic Competence: Lessons from 13 Years of War
This study formulates seven lessons from the past 13 years of war and identifies critical requirements for land forces, special operations forces, and partners to collaborate successfully.
Oct 14, 2014