Navy Dads

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!!!

New Navy OPSEC App is Out!

 

 

Below is a link to a PDF presentation from the NAVY regarding OPSEC and the use of social media......

OPSEC%20Snapshot.pdf

 

 

View more presentations from Naval OPSEC
Updated Jan 2015

Targets OMBUDSMEN but is good information for us all
OPSEC "SMART" Cards

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The Christmas bombing attempt has brought security into more focus for me. Are there any more sources for this information, or is this the complete OPSEC text?

SteveB,
Maryland
try NavyTimes.com and perhaps the MCPON page in Facebook....the stuff is scattered all over the place...try a Goole search for OPSEC Navy and see what pops up.

SteveB357 said:


The Christmas bombing attempt has brought security into more focus for me. Are there any more sources for this information, or is this the complete OPSEC text?

SteveB,
Maryland
A great reminder for things that we can easily forget about. Thanks
After reading the article on OPSEC, I think it's pretty ironic that it was in Navy Times On-Line, considering they post more detailed articles and information then we as parents could ever pry out of our sailors. My son is a CTN2 and the only thing he will admit too is which base he is on (and thats only because he needed dad to pick him up after A/C schools), I have no idea where he works on the base or what he does. But you can pick up Navy Times and they openly list units/bases/command staff/change of commands/ship information.
Greetings David R !!

Ironic aint the word - but the more accurate words should not be published in a family forum. I too observed this same contradiction between the rules and the rule-makers behavior, but failed to put it into words as well as you have here. By the way, my son graduated from one year at Groton, and is now "somewhere else", then on to his Boat, there in ...... !!?? Another by the way : on Peoples' Radio this morning, [ 9 Jan., Sat. ] they where playing a recording of a Female Anthropologist, lecturing our U.S. Marines about how they should refrain from blowing up the enemies Bridges over there in Towel Head Land, because it just might disrupt their economy. ( Can you say "Poppies", Dorothy ? ) I had to turn it off shortly after it began ; this gave me pause to think about our Service Men during WW II and Korea, and those guys not blowing up the enemies Infrastructure ......

Warmly, john in Georgia

David R said:
After reading the article on OPSEC, I think it's pretty ironic that it was in Navy Times On-Line, considering they post more detailed articles and information then we as parents could ever pry out of our sailors. My son is a CTN2 and the only thing he will admit too is which base he is on (and thats only because he needed dad to pick him up after A/C schools), I have no idea where he works on the base or what he does. But you can pick up Navy Times and they openly list units/bases/command staff/change of commands/ship information.
I'm almost scared to say anything. From the beginning of these wars, I've been frustrated that they refuse to use our resources. It's like the gentle big guy in school that all the little punks want to pick on because they know he's not going to do anything about it. He doesn't want to hurt people.
I wonder how many lives, ours and theirs, are being wasted by protracting this mess? Iraq and Afghanistan have absorbed armies that took 1/2 way measures ever since the Romans. Only Alexander the Great made any foot holds, and only by total war.

John said:
Greetings David R !!
Ironic aint the word - but the more accurate words should not be published in a family forum. I too observed this same contradiction between the rules and the rule-makers behavior, but failed to put it into words as well as you have here. By the way, my son graduated from one year at Groton, and is now "somewhere else", then on to his Boat, there in ...... !!?? Another by the way : on Peoples' Radio this morning, [ 9 Jan., Sat. ] they where playing a recording of a Female Anthropologist, lecturing our U.S. Marines about how they should refrain from blowing up the enemies Bridges over there in Towel Head Land, because it just might disrupt their economy. ( Can you say "Poppies", Dorothy ? ) I had to turn it off shortly after it began ; this gave me pause to think about our Service Men during WW II and Korea, and those guys not blowing up the enemies Infrastructure ......
Warmly, john in Georgia

David R said:
After reading the article on OPSEC, I think it's pretty ironic that it was in Navy Times On-Line, considering they post more detailed articles and information then we as parents could ever pry out of our sailors. My son is a CTN2 and the only thing he will admit too is which base he is on (and thats only because he needed dad to pick him up after A/C schools), I have no idea where he works on the base or what he does. But you can pick up Navy Times and they openly list units/bases/command staff/change of commands/ship information.
Thanks for sharing these rules. I have this poster on my laptop, but I have edited it so that it is my son's face... it really makes it easier to remember to guard my communications.

Steve
Amen ...his safety and the others on the ships are much more important than knwing thier every move. To be honest O would much rather they are safe and concentrating on safety first. I want my son to remain safe.
Stephen Ryker said:
Thanks for sharing these rules. I have this poster on my laptop, but I have edited it so that it is my son's face... it really makes it easier to remember to guard my communications.
Steve

Great idea! . . . I just made it my desktop background/wallpaper!
Greetings All.

just yesterday dropped off my son at Kings Bay. WOW !!! Talk about OPSEC .....!! and his rate puts him in an even more sensitive sphere of info and knowledge.

Needless to say, his old-man is so very proud of him.

Pray for our Sailors, that they would be safe from ALL enemies, DOMESTIC and foreign.

Cordially, john
John said:
Greetings All.

just yesterday dropped off my son at Kings Bay. WOW !!! Talk about OPSEC .....!! and his rate puts him in an even more sensitive sphere of info and knowledge.

Needless to say, his old-man is so very proud of him.

Pray for our Sailors, that they would be safe from ALL enemies, DOMESTIC and foreign.

Cordially, john
John,
I learned ten years ago that my son's safety along with everyone elses relies on these rules. Thank you for posting them. He will however call me when he is ON THE WAY TO THE BOAT.....to me that means Mama
I could tell you where I am going but then I would have to kill you....lol. His life and the lives of many others depend on that and sometimes that is hard for the parents not to know but trust me I would rather he be safe than know everything. I love my son very much and he is my only son so it was quite difficult for me to let him go but that is exactly what I did. I hear from him when he is home, ask very few questions because I will not compromise the security of our Navy, Army, or any other branch of the military. I just pray.......God has been good and he has protected my son, as well as my son inlawwhen I knew in my heart they were in harms way.God bless all the military and their commintment to serve our country and to protect us from those threats we do not know about.
I wish your family the very best and may God be right there beside your son.

Kay

katie99 said:
John said:
Greetings All.

just yesterday dropped off my son at Kings Bay. WOW !!! Talk about OPSEC .....!! and his rate puts him in an even more sensitive sphere of info and knowledge.

Needless to say, his old-man is so very proud of him.

Pray for our Sailors, that they would be safe from ALL enemies, DOMESTIC and foreign.

Cordially, john

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