If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re a friend or family member of ours. Due to Kyle’s job, I want to make sure all of our loved ones understand how important it is that they abide by OPSEC regulations at all times.
Many of you may have heard of ‘OPSEC’, or Operations Security, but may be unclear as to what exactly it entails. As the name suggests, OPSEC protects any and all past, present, and future military operations. The safety of our troops depends on our ability to keep our military’s movements a secret. Maintaining the element of surprise is crucial to our success. What many may not realize is that terrorist groups, such as ISIS, do not only target the troops directly, but also aim to acquire information from their friends and families. You can and should guard yourself against these threats by being vigilant.
Be alert.
Do not accept friend requests or approve follow requests on social media from people you do not know personally. Terrorist organizations have been known to obtain sensitive information from profiles online. Keep your profiles private if possible. If you see any posts that violate OPSEC, please report them immediately and ask that they be removed. Don’t feel guilty about reporting a friend or family member’s post. If the wrong person sees it, Kyle and his friends may not make it home from future deployments.
Be careful.
Our loved ones may not always be able to tell us what they are up to. Information such as flight schedules, ship movements, temporary duty locations, deployment dates, and installation activities must be protected. Do not discuss this sensitive information over the phone, in a text, in an email, in video chat, or on any social media. Please do not ask me or Kyle for details concerning his deployments, training, etc. If I could tell you when he’s coming and going, I would. However, it’s more important to me that he comes home in one piece.
Follow the five W’s – don’t reveal who, what, where, when, or why. Our troops have sacrificed so much for our country. We all need to do our part to bring them home safely.
Amanda Douet 