OPSEC

While connecting with military or those that communicate on military issues we have to keep in mind OPSEC. For those that don’t know OPSEC means Operational Security. For example posting the location of a military event, or information that others may use to harm or hurt people in the military or connected to the military is dangerous. I think many of us can think of incidents that have happened in the past where too much information compromised missions or events. I also like to think of the old saying “Loose lips sink ships”.

Because of what MilPages has to offer it’s very important to keep OPSEC in mind when posting content. We don’t want to bring harm to anyone and I would imagine the users of this site would fully agree with that statement.

While you are connecting with others on the site please keep in mind that this site is public and others can read what you write. This isn’t to scare anyone but in today’s age of instant communication it’s a good reminder that the men and women of the services and their families are always at a higher risk because of the nature of their business. Regardless of your political views this threat is serious because those that serve are not politicians making policy. They follow orders they receive and are citizens like anyone else that deserve not to be put in more harms way than they already are.

So what does this mean to you? Posting a warm welcome message is ok, but adding flight information, airport, time or arrival, where they are coming from, the color of their luggage, political stance, what they will be wearing when they deplane, and who is picking them up is probably in good sense not the best judgement.  Just be careful in how much information you post and we will all be safer. We want everyone to enjoy their time on the site but as always protecting each other is of the highest importance.

So with all the OPSEC talk I ask each member to be mindful on what they are about to post and if you think it might be too much, think twice.