OPSEC question

heather0711

Hi ladies, 

As I posted a few days ago, FI is over the 1/2 way point in this oh, so lovely deployment. I also indicted that we knew approximately when he'd be back. I never write here, on facebook or twitter about any of that information. I don't give a month, I don't give a weekly countdown, nothing. FMIL, though, posts a weekly "countdown" every week on facebook. It's wrong...but it's still there. (She doesn't know it's wrong because FI only tells me the updated info, nothing will be said to her until it's finalized date - it's just easier that way). 

Anyways, would you ladies consider the weekly countdown as an OPSEC violation or am I just being neurotic?

 

iluvmytxrgr

Yes, even if it is wrong, it's an OPSEC violation.  If she had the correct info, she'd be posting that.  Please send her a link to OPSEC rules and explain to her that she is putting him and the people with him in danger.  Please also explain to her that she could cause his return to be delayed.  Let her know that you know she is excited, but she needs to put his safety first. 

SamiJoeB

ditto TX.. Excellent advice

heather0711

That's what I thought - thanks!

lyonstm

Ditto. Definitely an OPSEC violation, but not a SEVERE one.  I've seen much worse.  Just let her know the ramification involved when stuff like that gets posted on the net.

heather0711

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_opsec-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:4cfeeaa4-042e-4b40-af46-a6c39bc9962ePost:efe927ed-24cb-406e-af33-6fcd8b2f012f">Re: OPSEC question</a>:
[QUOTE]Ditto. Definitely an OPSEC violation, but not a SEVERE one.  I've seen much worse.  Just let her know the ramification involved when stuff like that gets posted on the net.
Posted by lyonstm[/QUOTE]
 <div>Right, not severe, just needs a little slap on the back of the head haha</div>

amh04

Agreed with everyone else. It isn't a severe one, but it is a violation nonetheless.

firsttimersluck

yup..
At least it's not by the guys themselves.. sigh..
My buddy that's deployed got off at a port recently for a little free time and you know how you can "check in" to places?
yeah.. see where this is going!?! I was like "whhy do go practicing opsec and persec.. you're just making it easy for the terrorists! I'm sure they appreciate it!" -_- oi. He deleted it of course, but seriously dude!?! come on now..

calindi

My FI is adament that when he deploys, he's going to shut down his Facebook.  He can reactivate it at any point when he wants to contact someone, but it keeps people from posting things on his wall that he can't monitor or delete.  Like if one of his sisters posts, "Mom just told me you guys are in Baghdad tomorrow!  Can't wait to see you on July 25th when you get home!!!" or something ridiculous like that (obviously all those details are made up, just an example of how thoughtless people can be sometimes).

heather0711

It's really frustrating that people are so negligent about it all. A friend of mine's boyfriend is deploying soon so she was asking what info she should be aware of and all that, I told her to read up on OPSEC/PERSEC and we'll go from there. 

k40t1kch1k

As a former Network Security administrator onboard the Flagship for 7th Fleet, I can tell you that it is (by instruction) okay to give a location 14 days out, because by then the schedule w/ the exact dates and times has already been published on the Secure network. But nothing specific on FB or in a phone convo, please.

My FH is also on deployment on the same boat I just left, and I had to break it down for the FMIL. "If he hasn't posted anything, neither should you."

Also remind her that if she gets a phone conversation with him, or text messaging, email, etc...do NOT ask for specific dates...all of that can very easily be picked up by a 3rd party (i.e. China, North Korea, etc.), and will actually cause a bigger impact than could be made by Facebook.