COMMAND TEAM

COL SHAWN C. CALLAHAN

Biography
COL Shawn C. Callahan is a native of Rochester, NY. As a career military intelligence officer, he has served in a variety of intelligence and leadership roles at the tactical, operational, and strategic warfighting levels – from Company through Combatant Command – and also at the Interagency and on Headquarters, Department of the Army staff. He was commissioned by the United States Military Academy in 2001.

COL Callahan began his career as a tactical intelligence officer at 1-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 313th Military Intelligence Battalion, 82nd Airborne, deploying in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in 2002 and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003. He later served as BCT S-2 for 3 BCT, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO, and most recently as the G-2, U.S. Army South, Fort Sam Houston, TX. He commanded D Company, 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th MIB-T, Fort Eisenhower, GA, where he deployed his Company in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in 2006-2008. Additionally, COL Callahan commanded the 741st MI Battalion, 704th MI Brigade, Fort George G. Meade, MD.

COL Callahan has served is several other noteworthy assignments including as S-3 for a Special Mission Unit based in Washington, DC, Network Warfare Planner in the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, National Security Agency Cryptologic Services Group OIC at the Joint Special Operations Command, NSA Office of Counterterrorism Deputy Division Chief, NSA/CSS Director’s Fellow, Executive Assistant to the J-3, USCYBERCOM, and Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Army.

COL Callahan is a graduate of the Military Intelligence Officer Basic and Captain’s Career Courses, and Command and General Staff College. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, where he was named a distinguished graduate.

He is married to Michelle (originally from Coldwater, Michigan), and they have a son, Liam, 13, and daughter, Claire, 10. He enjoys outdoor activities, watching college/professional sports, and spending time with his family.

CSM FRANCISCO J. SANTIAGO RIVERA

Biography
Command Sergeant Major Francisco J. Santiago Rivera assumed responsibility as the Command Sergeant Major, 500th Military Intelligence Brigade - Theater on 04 October 2023.

CSM Santiago is a native of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1996. He attended Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, OK, where he was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 13E, Fire Direction Specialist. In 2007, he attended Advanced Individual Training at Fort Huachuca, AZ, where he was awarded the MOS of 35M, Human Intelligence Collector.

CSM Santiago’s assignments include Chief Fire Direction Sergeant, 2nd BN, 3rd FA, Giessen, Germany and 1st BN, 10th FA, Ft Benning, Georgia; Drill Sergeant,1st BN, 40th FA, Ft Sill, Oklahoma; HUMINT Platoon Sergeant, 1st Brigade (BDE), 1st Infantry Division, Ft Hood, Texas; First Sergeant, 163d Military Intelligence BN, Ft Hood, Texas; 111th MI BDE, Ft Huachuca, Arizona; USAICoE Headquarters Command G3 Sergeant Major, Ft Huachuca, Arizona; Mission Command Training Program Intel SGM, Ft Leavenworth, KS; Eighth Army G2 Sergeant Major, Republic of Korea and 715th Military Intelligence BN Command Sergeant Major.

CSM Santiago has deployed several times to the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

CSM Santiago’s military education includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Senior Leaders Course, Master Leaders Course, Class 68 of the Noncommissioned Leadership Center of Excellence SMG-A, BDE and BN Pre-Command Course, CSM Developmental Program for BDE and BN, Master Resiliency Training, Faculty Development Course Phase I and II, Drill Sergeant Course, Basic and Tactical Combatives Course, Air Assault Course, CI/HUMINT Operations Management Course, Squad Designated Marksmanship Course, Digital Trainer Management Systems Course and Advance FATADS Course. His civilian education includes an Associate Degree of Applied Sciences Degree in Intelligence Operations from Cochise College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College.

CSM Santiago’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (3 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (6 OLC), Presidential Unit Citation Award, Meritorious Unit Citation Award (2 OLC), Army Superior Unit Award (3 OLC), Good Conduct Medal 9th award, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal (BSS), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (3 CS), Iraqi Campaign Medal (4 CS), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 5, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 6, Nato Medal Kosovo, Nato Medal Afghanistan, Drill Sergeant Badge, Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge and Driver Badge (W/T). CSM Santiago is also a recipient of the Military Intelligence Corps Knowlton Award and the Field Artillery Order of Saint Barbara.

CSM Santiago is married to Amarilis, and together they have three children, Mia, Kam’Ron, and Javier, and a grandson, Micah.

MISSION

The 500th MIB-T conducts multi-discipline intelligence operations to provide early and accurate warning intelligence to the Joint Force and enable USARPAC operations. On order, the Brigade integrates MI Soldiers and capabilities into theater operations to enable their deployment into the USINDOPACOM AOR.

PEOPLE

The Soldiers of the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade-Theater are elite professionals, masters of their craft in the complex disciplines of signals, human, and geospatial intelligence. Forged through rigorous, continuous training – encompassing advanced language studies, cutting-edge technical skills, and immersive cultural understanding – they possess an unparalleled ability to decipher the unseen and anticipate emerging threats. These analysts, linguists, and operators work tirelessly, often in the shadows, to provide commanders with the critical information needed for strategic advantage.