OPSEC: Staying vigilant can save lives

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anne Gathua
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  "Hey! I just posted some photos on my Facebook page! Check them out," a deployed Airman tells his friends.

As mundane as that might seem, this Airman was not only posing next to a map that showed all the deployed locations in Iraq, but also pointing out the exact location where he was stationed. This happened about two years ago.

To the Airman, he was just keeping his family and friends informed of where he was deployed and didn't think his actions would cause an operational security violation.
"That simple action made him as well as his unit and family vulnerable," said John Manera, 17th Training Wing OPSEC program manager. "If that information got in the wrong hands, there would be dire consequences."

Mr. Manera said OPSEC violations have increased with the advent of social media.
"We see a lot more cases of people giving information on where, when and how long they'll be gone," said Mr. Manera.

A good example is Facebook, where anyone can invite you to be their friend, which makes your information accessible to all.

"Let's say that information gets into the wrong hands," Mr. Manera said. "The individual's family and the unit's mission is put at risk and becomes a target. There are too many red flags, and everyone deploying should be aware of that and let their families know how much information they can divulge without crossing the line."

Mr. Manera explained that OPSEC is looking at what our mission is and knowing the critical information that we have. Servicemembers must understand that even if the information is not classified, it could impede the mission if it fell into the hands of an adversary.

"We are responsible for identifying critical information and putting measures in place to protect it so that our adversaries can't use it against us," he added. "That's what it's all about. OPSEC is of utmost importance to help us meet the mission."

Mr. Manera said the first thing people should know is what their mission is.

"When you know your mission, then you'll know what measures to take to protect it," said he added. "Staying vigilant helps us succeed in our mission, and it's everyone's responsibility to make sure information doesn't get to our adversaries."

Each squadron has OPSEC representatives who know what information is sensitive, how to protect it and the measures required to do it, Mr. Manera said.

Knowing that an OPSEC violation could jeopardize our mission should make us more vigilant and stand guard when it comes to dealing with information, he added.

"Most times, we are very careful with classified information, but forget when bits and pieces of unclassified information are put together, it could be just as damaging," said Mr. Manera. "Pay attention to what you say and do, be it in a casual conversation, social media or on the telephone. Remember we have adversaries whose purpose is to hinder our mission and they are watching."