OPSEC

Guide To OPSEC (Operational Security)
MilClub, LLC
December 13, 2006

OPSEC is now talked about daily both online and off within the military community. Years ago, when the term was mentioned online, people would proclaim paranoia, overreaction or just dismiss the idea as being irrelevant. In today's world however, we know that what we say and where we say it can seriously endanger those we love the most. If you're new to military life, read on to find out what OPSEC is and what you should know to protect those you love in uniform and yourself.

What is OPSEC?
According to DefendAmerica.mil, "The premise of OPSEC is that the accumulation of one or more elements of sensitive/unclassified information or data could damage national security by revealing classified information."

That's simple enough. The idea is that what you say may not be an OPSEC problem, but combined with what someone else says, it can reveal too much and could quite possibly risk lives. Online, it could be what you say over the course of weeks or months being put together.

OPSEC is guarding the information we do know, because little bits of information combined with other little bits of information can provide a large picture for someone (or a group) that would like nothing more than to harm military forces at home or abroad.

OPSEC Online
Some things just shouldn't be revealed online and others are personal preference. Here is a list of items that will be edited from MilClub and should NEVER be posted on any community message boards, bulletins or members pages:

Military movements of any kind
Dates of field problems, dates of returning soldiers from an overseas assignment (deployment or not), dates of deployments (coming or going) and airports service member(s) will be flying into or out of. Please remember that "next Tuesday" is a specific date. It will be removed.

Deployed activities
Although we know the press is in several regions with our service members and broadcasting from those regions, they are not broadcasting what our government doesn't want to be known. They are there with permission. We can't possibly know what is ok to post in regards to what service members may be doing (training or otherwise) in different regions, so this information will be removed. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Specific Unit Information
Information regarding units and missions should NEVER be posted and will be removed. We don't need to know that Company C usually does this, but now they are doing that. It might not mean anything to us, but it could mean something to someone who knows what he or she is looking for.

Security on Base
Information regarding gate guards, car inspections, when they change shifts, what is a more secure area than another and extra security the base is putting in place should NEVER be posted and will be removed.

We realize this list could be quite frustrating or even scary. We've always wanted everyone at MilClub to have an open forum to talk about anything they care to discuss. When it comes to those we love and their safety though, we don't feel being extra cautious is a bad thing.

Please be patient with us if you do find your post is moderated, edited or has been removed. We understand that so many of us are under a great deal of stress and we are here to help if you happen to let your guard down. We care about you and those you love and as such, we want to help protect your safety especially when you may be too upset to look out for yourself.

If a post is edited or removed and you would like to talk about it please e-mail an Admin or Staff member to talk privately. We'll always be more than happy to discuss our reasons. If at some point we do act a bit on the paranoid side and overstep bounds, we'll be the first to apologize and immediately rectify the situation! The changes in the world today are new to all of us, but as long as we work together to protect each other we can't go wrong!

OPSEC Online - Personal Preference
Some people feel more secure by never revealing where they live or their real name. Others don't mind giving out this kind of information. If you aren't sure what is right for you, hopefully this article will help you decide.

What are you protecting?

Any and all unclassified/classified information. Hopefully if you do not possess a security clearance, you do not know any classified information. But all informations need to remain safe.

Last names.
All Dates (Returning/Leaving/R&R, etc.)
Exact Unit numbers or Unit Names.
Exact locations (Bases, Posts, Forts, Ports)
Addresses, email, phone numbers.

Before you give away any information to another person, decide if they have the need to know. This is a very important concept. All information trusted to you should remain in your brain, do not SHARE this information. If it's questionable as to whether or not you should say the information, ask an ADMIN or Staff or keep it to yourself.

E-mail, Private Messages and Instant Messengers
Simply put, none of these are secure. We can break down each one and explain why they are not secure. For time considerations just keep in mind that the internet is just servers that store and transfer information connected to other servers that store and transfer information. When these transfers take place, any server within the world wide web your information travels through can store the information for someone to go back to at a later date and go through. If you are sharing information through any of these that would violate OPSEC, please reconsider. It's so easy to feel that these ways of communication are private, but if it's being transferred over the internet, it is NOT private.

In the Real World
Even in the real world where information doesn't travel as fast as it does on the internet, we need to be aware of our surroundings and be careful about sharing too much information.

Final Thoughts
Our hope is that you'll come away from it thinking of ways to protect the information you do know in order to keep your loved ones and yourselves safe. If you have any questions or would like us to add additional information or tips, please e-mail the Admin at: milclub@yahoo.com, ATTN: Admin (OPSEC/info & tips)

*disclaimer from MilClub*
After reviewing the preceeding OPSEC guidelines we realize that you may or may not agree with all of the above. Your safety and that of your family is ultimately your responsibility. It is not the burden of MilClub or any forum you belong to, their members or even the military. Please use your best judgement while addressing any public forum or chat room, and remain aware of information you may be passing on to strangers.

If you feel there are OPSEC violations being done on our club community website please e-mail Admin at: milclub@yahoo.com

Subject: ATTN: Admin (OPSEC Violation)