Operational Security

OPSEC

Operational Security, or OPSEC, is keeping potential adversaries from discovery our mission critical information. Examples of critical information include information about the mission of assigned units, locations and time of unit deployments, communications equipment, and weapons, ect. If these materials or information get into the wrong hands the lives of not only U.S. soldiers, but civilians, and our allies could be in danger. From the Army, to posts, and down to individual unit level, a standard of what needs to happen to ensure that this information does not make it to our enemies has been put into place.

If the enemy found out when and where a unit was deploying to, they could plan an attack as the units were in transition, or change their tactics when the new unit takes over so that old strategies wouldn’t work for the new unit. If a radio with the right information and frequencies were stolen or recovered by an enemy, they would be able to know every move that friendly’s were making and planning on making. Which in turn, the enemy could set up devastating ambushes or move positions.

An example of what should happen upon notification of a lost or stolen sensitive item looks like this. First the entire chain of command and PMO with be notified upon discovering a loss and continue updating the chain of command as necessary, and all adjacent units will be notified of the situation. Then all units involved will immediately assume an operational posture, and using all personnel, conduct a search for the missing items. Isolate and control access to areas where the items may have been lost. Initiate a detailed search, to include a complete inventory of weapons and sensitive items. The unit will remain in the field or in the unit area until the weapon or sensitive item is found or the unit receives a release from the search from the first General Officer in the chain of command. If appropriate, inspect unit barracks, work...