Season 1 | Episode 4

Transcript

Daniel (Host): Welcome to Rough Seas, the Marine Engineering Podcast. Today’s guest is Colonel Eric Brine, who has an impressive background, including three master’s degrees and service in the U.S. Air Force. He is now the first Executive Director of the National Institute of Undersea Vehicle Technology. Eric will share his story of service and discuss global security, the pivot to the Pacific, and the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and academia.

Ben Garvey (Co-Host): Eric, it’s great to have you. You have such a broad and impactful career across different sectors. Can you share a little about how you got into the Air Force?

Eric Brine: Thanks, Ben. I’ve wanted to be in the Air Force since I was a child. When I was about 5 or 6, I knew I wanted to be a pilot or an astronaut. I grew up in a family without financial means, so I knew I had to go to college to make this dream happen. I eventually learned about ROTC and applied to the Air Force Academy, but I got waitlisted. I was frustrated, but I had an ROTC scholarship, so I decided to take it and go to Boston University.

Eric Brine: I didn’t have a lot of resources to visit other schools, so I settled on Boston University, partly because a friend was going, and it ended up working out great. I was able to get commissioned through ROTC and pursue my goal of becoming a pilot.

Ben Garvey: So, after getting into ROTC and commissioning, how did your flying career begin?

Eric Brine: There’s usually a backlog in the Air Force for pilot training, so I had to wait about a year. During that year, I was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in a casual status and got my private pilot’s license. It was a great experience and changed a lot of things for me. I started off wanting to fly fighters, but during that year, I realized I enjoyed flying larger planes and being part of a team. So, when I graduated from pilot training, I opted for a different path—flying medevac and VIP missions.

Ben Garvey: That’s quite a shift—from fighters to larger aircraft focused on logistics. What influenced that change?

Eric Brine: The people I met and the experiences I had during that year had a huge influence on me. Also, the time we lived in—this was pre-9/11—made me rethink what I wanted. I realized I wanted to see the world, and flying large aircraft allowed me to do that. I’ve been to 58 countries, 56 of them while in the military. While being a fighter pilot would have been thrilling, I enjoyed the opportunities I had flying larger aircraft and the camaraderie it offered.

Ben Garvey: After your time in the Air Force, you transitioned into politics and policy work, including time on Capitol Hill. How did that come about?

Eric Brine: I’d always had an interest in international affairs and politics, even during college. At one point, I tried to change my major from aeronautical engineering to political science, but the Air Force wouldn’t fund it. So, I ended up majoring in physics. Fast forward 15 years into my Air Force career, I faced some medical issues with my eyesight that grounded me from flying, which pushed me toward policy work. I went to Georgetown for a master’s degree while still in the Air Force. Eventually, I became a Presidential Management Fellow, which opened doors to working on Capitol Hill and in the State Department.

Ben Garvey: What was your role on Capitol Hill?

Eric Brine: I worked in Senator Tim Kaine’s office, focusing on defense and veterans’ issues. It was an incredible experience helping to build his defense team. I stayed in touch with many of the people I worked with there. Senator Kaine even pinned on my Lieutenant Colonel rank later that year. It was a rewarding time and gave me insight into government and policy processes.

Ben Garvey: How did you transition from that into the blue tech and undersea vehicle space?

Eric Brine: After my time in the White House and State Department, I was asked to become the first Executive Director of the National Institute of Undersea Vehicle Technology. I reminded them in my interview that I was an Air Force pilot, not a submariner, but they were more interested in my experience in D.C. and my knowledge of appropriations and how to navigate government systems.

Ben Garvey: You’ve had a remarkable shift from Air Force pilot to undersea technologies. What drives you now in this space?

Eric Brine: My biggest concern is the lack of collaboration between government, industry, and academia. We need more investment in undersea technology and maritime defense. We’re at a disadvantage compared to autocratic governments, where these sectors work in harmony. It’s crucial for us to align these sectors better, especially as we pivot toward the Pacific for national security purposes.

Ben Garvey: Are you seeing progress in collaboration efforts?

Eric Brine: Yes and no. People acknowledge the importance, but investment is still lacking. We’ve had some successes—401 Tech Bridge has grown, and the Blue Tide event brought attention to the blue economy. But we need faster innovation and more collaboration between the defense and private sectors to move things forward.

Ben Garvey: What do you think Rhode Island’s role is in the blue economy?

Eric Brine: Rhode Island has a unique position as the “Ocean State.” We have important institutions like the Naval War College and the Undersea Warfare Center, and we’re building momentum. The state is becoming a leader in blue tech innovation, and we’re seeing more interest in collaboration across industries.

Ben Garvey: What are some challenges with security and defense integration in blue tech?

Eric Brine: One challenge is the security clearance process, which slows down innovation. That’s why we focus on off-base demonstrations. It’s easier to test and iterate technologies off base before moving them through the more stringent security processes.

Ben Garvey: Rhode Island is small, but it seems to be making a big impact in the blue tech world.

Eric Brine: Absolutely. Rhode Island is punching above its weight, and it’s exciting to see the growth. With the right focus and collaboration, I believe the state will continue to be a leader in the blue economy.

Ben Garvey: Thank you, Eric, for sharing your journey and insights today. It’s been a great conversation.

Eric Brine: Thank you, Ben. It was a pleasure to be here.

Daniel (Host): Thank you for listening to Rough Seas. This episode was produced by Me Daniel at Enginuity Studios. If you have a story to tell about life within the marine sector or have an engineering challenge, you want to share with one. Of. Our experts please reach out to info@enginuityinc.ca. And to learn how you can overcome your organization’s harsh environment challenges, please visit our website, enginuityinc.ca. We’d love to hear from you until next time Fairwinds and following see.