Photo By Randi Stenson | Matthew McGuire, Headquarters, Department of the Army OPSEC assessor in the Mission...... read more read more
An operations security training specialist assigned to the Mission Command Center of Excellence recently completed a 60-day interagency broadening assignment that strengthened Army partnerships and enhanced professional expertise across federal organizations.
Matthew McGuire, Headquarters, Department of the Army OPSEC assessor in the Force Modernization Proponent Center at MCCoE, volunteered for an Army Expeditionary Civilian Workforce deployment supporting federal law enforcement in Albuquerque, N.M., from Nov. 17, 2025, to Jan. 17, 2026. During this assignment, McGuire applied his Army protection and OPSEC skills while supporting a whole-of-government effort, alongside federal partners.
“As a relatively new Army civilian professional, I wanted a broadening assignment that allowed me to represent the Army and MCCoE while learning from another federal organization,” McGuire said. “This was an opportunity to tell the Army story, build partnerships and bring new skills back to the workforce.”
McGuire’s background includes prior service as a military police corrections officer and experience as a certified Missouri law enforcement officer. That experience proved valuable when he was immediately hand-selected to support enforcement-focused teams based on these skills. During the assignment, McGuire supported enforcement and removal operations by specializing in the development of geospatial targeting products used by federal agents to plan operations. He also assisted with detention center processing and coordination efforts, contributing to large-scale enforcement operations that resulted in the apprehension of multiple individuals with felony convictions.
Paul C. Bryant, supervisory detention and deportation officer at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, praised McGuire’s performance, saying, “Matthew’s efforts have dramatically increased our targeting abilities and freed up officers to be in the field. Additionally, while processing an alien’s property, Matthew discovered a powdery substance later identified as methamphetamine, demonstrating his attention to detail and commitment to safety.”
McGuire attributes his success to the civilian and military protection skills he has honed throughout his career. “My OPSEC background translated well to the law enforcement environment,” he said. “The analytical mindset, attention to detail and protection principles are absolutely transferable.”
The deployment also provided McGuire with the opportunity to exchange best practices between Army protection programs and federal law enforcement, particularly in the use of emerging analytical tools and geospatial methodologies. McGuire said the experience strengthened his ability to contribute to MCCoE’s mission upon return.
“This assignment made me a better Army Civilian Professional,” McGuire said. “While I enjoyed the deployment, it reinforced why serving the Army and MCCoE matters to me.”
James Dunivan, FMPC deputy director, saw this as a good opportunity for both McGuire and the organization. “Matt had a desire to volunteer and build upon his skills, so this was a perfect opportunity for ‘re-greening’ and contributing to an important operational mission,” he said. “This experience allowed Matt to observe much of our curriculum in a real-world setting. As a return on the investment of a few short months, Matt returns with a solid outlook for ‘sustains’ and ‘improves’ to keep our courseware relevant to those we support. From an instructor perspective, Matt has an entire new set of vignettes and scenarios that he can use to establish instant credibility and reinforce important concepts with his students.”
McGuire emphasizes that AECW deployments offer significant professional and personal value, and he encourages other Army civilians to consider volunteering. “It’s a lifelong learning experience,” he said. “You gain new perspectives, build lasting professional networks, and directly support national-level priorities while representing the Army.”
Dunivan also recommends the program, especially for high-performing employees. “Everyone wants to feel like they are making a difference, so Matt and everyone he worked with at Homeland Security knows that our Army Civilian Professionals are making things happen,” he said.
To learn more about the Army Expeditionary Civilian Workforce Program, visit Army.mil.
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2026 14:16 |
| Story ID: | 559230 |
| Location: | FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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