Scowcroft Institute Army Fellow Colonel Fin P. Carey commended for strategy addressing misinformation, disinformation and malinformation from adversarial countries to Department of Defense.
The Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, in The Bush School of Government and Public Service, has a mission to foster and disseminate policy-oriented research on international affairs. One way that the Scowcroft Institute accomplishes this mission is through a fellowship program with the United States Army War College (USAWC). The result is the Scowcroft Institute Army Fellowship which hosts officers in the USAWC Fellow program to foster their research on topics of strategic relevance to the Army and the Scowcroft Institute. Demonstrating the high caliber of the research accomplished in this program, current Scowcroft Institute Army Fellow Colonel Fin P. Carey received the USAWC Commandant’s Award for Distinction in Research for his excellent contribution to strategic thought.
“It feels great to be recognized for all the hard work, although, to be honest, I was not expecting to win anything. It was a pleasant surprise,” Carey said. “As a career Army officer, I hadn’t done a lot of higher-level academic writing, and the resources at the Scowcroft Institute and Bush School were very helpful.”
Carey’s award-winning research paper titled “A Strategy for Truth: Hardening the DoD Against False Information” looks at issues of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation (MDM) regarding directed disinformation attacks from adversarial countries such as Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Carey researched how countries worldwide have successfully addressed MDM through training for their citizens and proposed recommendations for similar programs for the Department of Defense (DoD). Carey’s basic recommendation is that the DoD develop a program that teaches service members information literacy, critical thinking and fact-checking skills for their consumption of mainstream and social media material.
“I care about the subject because, in recent years, I’ve witnessed a growing political divide in this country that is being driven, in large part, by false information within our media discourse,” Carey said. “My research found that a lot of this ‘false information’ is intentional and orchestrated by foreign adversaries with the intent to divide US citizens against each other.”
The USAWC educates and develops senior officers for strategic leadership and represents the Army’s highest level of military education. As part of the USAWC Fellows program, officers complete a research requirement wherein they investigate a specific question or a defined problem that impacts the larger community of strategic leaders, often accompanied by a written product. Each year, the USAWC recognizes fellows with special honors for outstanding contributions to the knowledge of a complex topic by providing insightful analyses and innovative solutions.
“A Scowcroft Institute Army Fellow winning the Award for Distinction in Research is a significant achievement that reflects a recognition of excellence and the quality and caliber of Col. Fin Carey,” Director of the Scowcroft Institute Andrew Natsios said. “Hosting the Army Fellowship program at the Scowcroft Institute reflects the institute’s commitment to research, excellence and leadership. Overall, the program raises awareness of the Institute’s mission, values and contributions among academic institutions, government agencies and the broader public, thereby attracting attention and support for its activities and initiatives.”
Carey enlisted in the Army in 1992 and received his commission through Officer Candidate School and branched Aviation in 2000. Prior to his fellowship, Carey was assigned as the Missouri National Guard State Army Aviation Officer. He credits the Scowcroft Institute for providing the faculty and resources to further his research on such a challenging topic at a distinguished level.
“The Scowcroft Institute Director, Andrew Natsios, was my Faculty Advisor and offered a lot of guidance and input throughout my year at the Bush School regarding my research project,” Carey said. “I also met with Cindy Raisor, Director of the Bush School Writing Program, multiple times, and she was very helpful in my approach to research and writing.”
The Scowcroft Institute Army Fellowship Program hosts two officers per academic year. While in residence, Army Fellows become part of the Scowcroft Institute’s burgeoning community of international relations scholars, students and practitioners by completing a major research project, participating in formal coursework at the Bush School and engaging students and faculty by giving talks and lectures about their research interests and career experiences, among other commitments.
The Bush School of Government and Public Service houses many programs, centers and institutes that fulfill President George H. W. Bush’s philosophy that “public service is a noble calling.” The Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs contributes to this legacy by supporting research and creating environments where individuals such as Colonel Fin P. Carey can tackle complex issues of national security and international strategy.
“My greater hope is that the recommendations made within the research will be implemented for the DoD,” Carey said. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to complete my Army War College education at the Scowcroft Institute. I made a lot of great connections, attended many world-class lectures at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center and participated in excellent Bush School classes that were extremely relevant to my career as an Army officer.”
