The importance of OPSEC!

In light of talks of terrorism on the news and in other medias lately, as well as a thread posted on a military-related forum, I figured I would put the OPSEC information out there in blog-form. The more that people know about OPSEC, the better chances we have of keeping our troops safe!

So what is OPSEC?
OPSEC (formally known as Operational Security) is a way to keep our troops safe by not revealing any military operations.. whether they are just in planning stages, are taking place or have already been completed.

The smallest piece of information in the wrong hands could be devastating and fatal to our military men and women, both at home and abroad. Never reveal critical information over the phone, through email or in a public place. You never know who could be listening!!

What shouldn't be revealed or discussed:

1. Any detailed info about military units and their missions.
2. Details regarding the locations and specific times and dates of deployments or homecomings.
3. Personnel transactions that occur in large numbers (i.e.- Power of Attorneys, wills, pay info, and deployment info)
4. Information regarding unit morale.
5. Details concerning the procedures used for security.
6. Releasing a military member's address or deployment address in conjunction with their deployment location! (I remind everyone of this one because of personal experiences with member's of my husband's former battallion giving out their information on Myspace. It is NOT okay to post your address or your servicemember's address on a social media network.. especially if that servicemember is deployed to the same location as MY husband.. you will suffer the wrath of Jenn!)

Even revealing small pieces of information, and in separate places/forms of communication, could be pieced together and used to cause harm!

Please be cautious, and remind those around you to be cautious as well. Our troops do a tremendous job keeping our country, our freedoms and our families safe.. we need to do our part to keep them safe in return!