Operations Security (OPSEC)
Operations Security (OPSEC)
This list is rapidly growing (HooYah) and now may be a good time to remind not only the newcomers but all of us about certain Navy security issues. Many Navy dads, family members and friends are new to the Navy (or perhaps the military in general) and should keep in mind something the Navy refers to as Operations Security (OPSEC). As proud parents of our sailors, we want to let the world know of their accomplishments as well as our immense pride in them. Sometimes we get so excited about our sons or daughters Navy life we can't wait to share the news. This is when we need to be reminded of OPSEC. The following information is given out on the Family Readiness Group from the public website of the USS Truman (CVN-75) and stresses points we all need to follow:
"....rumors will fly about the ships schedule. The command is committed to keeping Sailors and families informed and getting schedule updates to you as soon as practical. Flexibility is the key. Navy schedules do change but the command will keep its crew and families informed. The best way for family members to keep informed is to attend the Family Readiness Group meetings every month and to avoid listening to or spreading rumors. The command will only release official schedule updates so why rely on rumors and hearsay?
With the knowledge of the ship’s schedule we must all remember Operations Security (OPSEC) in order to guard this information and protect our Sailors from those who may use schedule information for harmful purposes. Schedule information should NEVER go in an e-mail, over the phone, posted on websites, discussed in public or on Facebook, Twitter etc. PROTECT SCHEDULE information.
Listed below are the OPSEC rules, remember they keep our loved ones safe.
OPSEC Rules:
• Don’t discuss future destinations or ports of call
• Don’t discuss future operations, exercises or missions (including Family Day Cruises)
• Don’t discuss dates and times of when we will be in port or conducting exercises
• Don’t discuss readiness issues and numbers
• Don’t discuss specific training equipment or lack thereof
• Don’t speculate about future operations
• Don’t spread rumors about current, future, or past operations or movements
• Don’t discuss deployment or homecoming dates
• Don’t assume the enemy is not trying to collect information; they always are
• Don't discuss Security Procedures, movements, or arms
• Be smart, use your head, and always think OPSEC when using email, phone, chat rooms and message boards. There is no guarantee that a chat room or forum described as 'military' has any security for transmitting information or restricting membership to military personnel and their families only
"REMEMBER, OPSEC SAVES LIVES”
OPSEC is ship or operations specific and doesn't have anything to do with your sailors accomplishments in boot camp, “A” or “C” schools or rate increases or any other info that is personal in nature. Take pride in your sailor and share it with us all!! This is a great open forum that we have and in order to keep it that way we need to remember OPSEC. Basically, just remember this: if the information is shared on a public Navy website or newspaper, then it's ok to post and discuss that information on Navy Dads. When operational information comes directly to us from our sailors that is when we need to apply the OPSEC rules.
Not to diminish the importance of OPSEC, but you will remember this:
Do you like OPSEC and ham?
I do not get it, Sam I am.
I do not get OPSEC and ham.
We must use it here and there.
We must use it everywhere.
You CAN share it in a car.
But you CANNOT in a bar.
You CANNOT share it in a text.
You CANNOT share it at the NEX.
You CAN say it in your house.
But should NOT tell a random spouse.
You CAN say it in the shower.
But do NOT go sharing at happy hour.
DON'T make the Ombudsman sweat.
DON'T post it on the internet.
You CANNOT share it in a tweet.
That would not be very sweet.
Beware of Facebook and Myspace too.
It's tempting to let your feelings through.
You Cannot tell it to a friend.
NOT even at the very end.
It is a privilege to know a date.
DON'T tell ANYONE or they may be late!
Oh, I get it, Sam I am.
Now I get OPSEC and ham!
I will not tell anyone. I will keep hushed until they're done!
I will not tell him or her. I will not tell my dog with fur.
I will not tell my child's teacher. I will not tell any creature.
Thank you, THANK YOU, Sam I am.
Thank you for clearing up OPSEC and Ham!!!
Below is a link to a PDF presentation from the NAVY regarding OPSEC and the use of social media......
Tags: Naval OPSEC, Navy, Navy Rules, Navy Security, OPSEC, Operations Security (OPSEC), Security Reminder, United States Navy
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paige (Billy's mom) on -
Thank you EG for posting these rules. I hope all members take the time to read it.
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Permalink Reply by David R on
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I must admit the modern Navy is better at OPSEC then the military was in the Vietnam era...........the dancers in the clubs and mommasan knew more about when were moving out and where we were going. Heck, they were normally more accurate than some of the warning orders we got from the officers.
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Permalink Reply by David Perschbacher on -
Thanks...I have printed this and posted it next to my computer.
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Permalink Reply by Otto Mueller on -
EG, Cool poster. Looks WWII but I haven't seen it before. Makes the OPSEC stand out!
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Permalink Reply by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin on -
Otto,
That's it, you got it! The pic is an old WWII poster. Figured it was the perfect pic to make the OPSEC rules stand out. As they say " a picture is worth a thousand words "
Otto Mueller said:EG, Cool poster. Looks WWII but I haven't seen it before. Makes the OPSEC stand out!
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Permalink Reply by Otto Mueller on
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Priceless
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Permalink Reply by Cora on -
I really appreciate you adding this and will work at remembering the importance of not sharing so much in the future when I get excited about my daughter. I will also share this information with others.
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Permalink Reply by Michael shampoo on -
thanks.... sometimes we really want 2 share the accomplishments of our sons & daughters,we forget the climate of the world 2day. there is always someone somewhere who wants 2 score "brownie" points with some dictator or tyrannical leader who has an axe 2 grind with the U.S or U.S pollicies. So lets remember that even though our men & women are out there protecting us they are still our babies so lets help protect them also... :)
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Permalink Reply by John B.Walsh on -
A very important reminder with good info. Keep reminding!
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Permalink Reply by Anthony M. Collins Sr. on -
Aye Aye. Should go without saying, but glad it was.
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Permalink Reply by Otto Mueller on
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More valuable information regarding social media (like our site) and OPSEC
MCPON to Sailors: Be Smart about Online Threats
By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Bill Houlihan, Office of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Sailors, family members and Navy commands are increasingly relying on social and emerging media to stay connected with those in their personal and professional lives.
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/SW) Rick D. West is chief among them.
More than 13,000 people from around the world have signed up to follow West on his Facebook page. The vast majority are Sailors, Navy family members and military supporters. It is important that the Navy family remain vigilant in not sharing potentially sensitive or secure information by any non-secure means – to include letters, email, telephone conversations or social media.
West has seen reports of potential threats to the Navy and said that while the country remains at war, clearly there are those who would want to glean information from anywhere they can get it to use against the Navy and the nation.
"What we say and where we say it has never been more important," said West. "Operational Security [OPSEC] has to be stressed at every level and I'm going to make sure our Sailors understand that very clearly."
West said that he's consistently surprised at how effective social media has become in terms of getting quality information to the fleet. He's been particularly aggressive in using Facebook and Twitter to make Sailors and families aware of Navy and DoD initiatives such as wounded warrior care, the Post 9/11 GI Bill and sexual assault prevention.
There are threats, though, that he believes are real and potentially very dangerous. "Anyone who thinks our enemies don't monitor what our Sailors, families and commands are doing via the Internet and social media had better open their eyes," said West. "These sites are great for networking, getting the word out and talking about some of our most important family readiness issues, but our Sailors and their loved ones have to be careful with what they say and what they reveal about themselves, their familes or their commands."
West said the Navy family needs to avoid discussing information about their units, such as location, schedules and specific missions or assets.
"That's standard OPSEC," said West. "But we're not talking about 'loose lips sinking ships' anymore, it's more than that. Our enemies are advanced and as technologically savvy as they've ever been. They're looking for personal information about our Sailors, our families and our day-to-day activities as well as ways to turn that information into maritime threats."
Sailors are getting it, said West. He said he bases that opinion on the feedback he receives at all hands calls and via social media, itself.
"If you have to wonder whether what you're about to type could be used against you or your shipmates and your family, you probably shouldn't say it," West said.
Information on the appropriate use of social media within the Navy is available at http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/socialmedia.html. DoD's social media hub has created videos and articles on the best practices for service members and their families when using social networking sites. These can be found at http://socialmedia.defense.gov. Likewise a short presentation by Navy Public Affairs on privacy and safety of personnel participating on line can be found at http://www.slideshare.net/USNavySocialMedia/us-navy-safe-and-effect.... More information regarding OPSEC can be obtained by Navy command personnel at https://iweb.spawar.navy.mil/depts/d017/.
For more news from Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, visit www.navy.mil/local/mcpon/.
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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on -
Monitors: Jihadist threats to Navy increasing
By Philip Ewing - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Jan 8, 2010 6:44:06 EST
Jihadist threats online against U.S. warships in the Middle East have spiked since just before the New Year, according to a monitoring group in Washington, including some of the most ambitious calls yet for terror attacks specifically on the Navy and sailors.
One Dec. 30 post, translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute, calls for readers to assemble and submit information about American ships and their crews in chilling detail:
“Information on every U.S. naval unit — and only U.S. [units]! — should be quietly gathered [as follows:] [The vessel’s] name, the missions it is assigned; its current location …; the advantages of this naval unit; the number of U.S. troops on board, including if possible their ranks, and what state they are from, their family situation, and where their family members (wife and children) live; what kind of weapons they carry; the [vessel’s] destination …; the missions it has carried out; the way to monitor it around the clock; if its location is changed, define its movements and its route; monitor every Web site used by the personnel on these ships, and attempt to discover what is in these contacts.”
The writer, whose handle is “Ubada bin Al-Samit” and who posted on a Web forum called Al-Falluja, assured readers every item would be useful:
“My Muslim brothers, do not underestimate the importance of any piece of information, as simple as it may seem; the mujahideen, the lions of monotheism, may be able to use it in ways that have not occurred to you.”
The posts were provided to Navy Times by MEMRI spokesman Richard Wachtel, who said his group does not usually see comments that call so specifically to target American warships. Also significant, he said, was that the post was a response to an official call from the Yemeni terror group, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, to Muslims: “Kill the crusaders in the Arabian Peninsula on land, in the air, and at sea.”
The Yemeni branch of al-Qaida has been in an international spotlight after a man linked to it allegedly tried to blow up an airliner over Detroit on Christmas Day.
A Jan. 4 post on another jihadist site alluded both to the failed attack and to the pending “threat” to American warships, Wachtel said.
“We have attacked you on land and in the air ... and soon [we will attack] in the sea ... . Al-Qaida’s troops, especially those in the Arab Peninsula, have expertise in this area. Their first naval operations ... were the destruction of the [destroyer] Cole [in 2000] and of the French oil tanker [Limburg in 2002].”
As in posts on any topic across the Internet, the terror sites apparently include their share of bluster and bravado: Neither the Cole nor the Limburg were “destroyed” after their respective attacks.
Cmdr. Chris Sims, a spokesman for 5th Fleet in Bahrain, told Navy Times that officials there “[take] all threats, real or perceived, very seriously and therefore maintain a constant high level of vigilance to ensure the safety of our personnel both ashore and afloat.”
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