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Because this site provides news and information regarding military units currently deployed, we must always be concerned with Operations Security, or "OPSEC". Websites are available to anyone with access to a computer (bad guys too!), so we must always be mindful of the information we publish here.
We have an official Comment/OPSEC Policy that is based on guidelines provided by the Army. Please be sure to read that. Additionally, Ranger Joe has written the following OPSEC Parable, which illustrates why it is so important to maintain OPSEC here.
There were once two powerful teams playing a series of matches that would eventually determine a world championship. Both sides’ players experience the normal ebb and flow of human emotions; the thrill of victories, agony of loss, pain of injuries, sorrow to see old-friends leave the team, cautious about new members joining the team part way through the series, frustrations over changes, etc.
The BLUE team maintains a public World Wide Web (www) site where news and family support issues are posted. The RED team does not.
The Blue team’s web site is a fantastic support vehicle, not only for the team members – but also for the family and friends of the team – who miss their players so far from home.
Both teams have “scouts” looking to collect information on the other team. What kind of information do they look for? Injuries, morale, changes in location, morale, changes in training, morale, changes in leadership, morale, changes in team members, morale, team strength… oh – and not to forget MORALE (the will to fight).
Where does the Red team go to find “inside” information on the Blue team? Do they search every news paper printed and watch every TV broadcast and listen to every radio station in the Blue team’s homeland hoping to find a single story about their adversary? Perhaps… but that is a tedious process with limited effectiveness. Maybe – just maybe – they go to the Blue Team’s web site, and read all the news, family stories, etc.
Where would you go?
Operations Security (OPSEC) means more than not giving out the time and route for the next supply convoy. It means controlling all information that is useful, collectable, collaborative and actionable by the adversary. This includes “soft” intelligence, especially MORALE.
I too am a parent of a soldier in combat with the SBCT (Blue team) and long to share news with other families and loved ones. PLEASE don’t post information that could be of use to the Red team. Before you post, ask yourself “If I were a Red team scout, could this information help me?” If the answer is “yes” – don’t post it… reword it.