Do they even teach OPSEC anymore?

[MrsAggie]

They grilled it into our heads at every predeployment meeting. I used to kindly remind people on Facebook but its gotten out of control lately. "Hubby comes home in 5 days!!!!!" Or "I get to see him in 40 hours!!!!". Really?? It's not like Ft Hood hasn't been attacked before or had even more failed attempts...

[sushi]

I have never been told anything beyond what H or this board has said. Not everyone deploys as a group where there would be a predeployment meeting. Even if there was, I'm sure not all spouses go.

Wasn't Ft. Hood attacked by a fellow soldier? I don't know of any others than that one guy.

[meltoine]

MH has not been deployed since I've known him. I've never attended a spouse briefing of any kind. All of my OPSEC education comes from here.

[MrsAggie]

Soldiers are instructed to pass information on to family members. Yes it was attacked by a soldier. There was another attempt about a year later but the man stopped in a pawn shop for extra supplies, the manager felt there were red flags, and they arrested him before he hit the post.

[ggirl]

At H's predeployment brief they did not mention OPSEC at all. They did say that the information is meant for family members and not meant to be put online etc, but it was at the end of the brief and that was it. They did not explain OPSEC or PERSEC at all. I don't know if they assumed that people knew already and had attended classes? I don't know.

[beachy]

I think some people have decided it's pointless because you can say it until you're blue in the face and people still don't listen. I couldn't even begin to count how many people I had to talk to about OPSEC during this last deployment. People are seriously just morons and selfish, and want to be AW's on their FB wall.

[softspot]

My H's FRO mentioned it a lot in meetings & emails. The command did not.

[lagom]

H didn't deploy with a group. I went to a FRC meeting, but it was optional, and I don't remember them talking about OPSEC- mostly just resources I had/may need while he was gone.
Everything I learned about OPSEC came from here.

[amaristella]

I screenshot what was said so that the author and context are clear and then I email it to the ombudsman for her to deal with. That gets it off my mind.

[beachy]

Mar 31, 2013 1:34:19 GMT -5 amaristella said:

I screenshot what was said so that the author and context are clear and then I email it to the ombudsman for her to deal with. That gets it off my mind.

That's what a lot of people do.  That way it can be sent to the command to when the family member thinks they are above OPSEC and can do what they want.  I just laugh when people say the command or their H won't get in trouble for it.  I have seen first hand that yes they will if you want to be an asshole about it. 

[iluvmytxrgr]

There are huge consequences in H's circle. One couple just learned the hard way. We have pre-deployment briefs that are mandatory for either the soldier or wife to attend. If it is a couple who have not been to a deployment, both are highly encouraged to come together. OPSEC and PERSEC are an entire section of the brief. One guy was stupid enough to give his wife info she shouldn't have. He was also stupid enough to take pictures and email them to her. She would post the pics on FB. She would also post info he had told her about the missions he'd been on. He's received an Art 15. He can now not be left alone at any time while he's deployed. He can only call home with his team leader sitting beside him. For the rest of the deployment, she will only receive emails and phone calls from the FRG that pertain to her or her husband or calls to check on her. She will also not be told when her husband is scheduled to come home. She'll receive a phone call from him when he's ready to be picked up.
People think nothing will happen to them. Around here, they know better now.

[Dory1988]

The hospital didn't even have an FRG when DH left as an IA. It didn't matter for us since he had gone on deployments with the Marines prior to that but for some people it would have been a first deployment.

[panicked]

Mar 31, 2013 16:20:18 GMT -5 iluvmytxrgr said:

There are huge consequences in H's circle. One couple just learned the hard way. We have pre-deployment briefs that are mandatory for either the soldier or wife to attend. If it is a couple who have not been to a deployment, both are highly encouraged to come together. OPSEC and PERSEC are an entire section of the brief. One guy was stupid enough to give his wife info she shouldn't have. He was also stupid enough to take pictures and email them to her. She would post the pics on FB. She would also post info he had told her about the missions he'd been on. He's received an Art 15. He can now not be left alone at any time while he's deployed. He can only call home with his team leader sitting beside him. For the rest of the deployment, she will only receive emails and phone calls from the FRG that pertain to her or her husband or calls to check on her. She will also not be told when her husband is scheduled to come home. She'll receive a phone call from him when he's ready to be picked up.
People think nothing will happen to them. Around here, they know better now.

:Y: :Y: :Y:
My DH is deploying soon and we've had mandatory FRG meetings, town halls, and all sorts of other things. OPSEC is a very big part of all the communication we get. My friends' husband was actually held in theater because some wife posted their return date. People were PISSED.

[audette]

Mar 31, 2013 16:20:18 GMT -5 iluvmytxrgr said:

There are huge consequences in H's circle. One couple just learned the hard way. We have pre-deployment briefs that are mandatory for either the soldier or wife to attend. If it is a couple who have not been to a deployment, both are highly encouraged to come together. OPSEC and PERSEC are an entire section of the brief. One guy was stupid enough to give his wife info she shouldn't have. He was also stupid enough to take pictures and email them to her. She would post the pics on FB. She would also post info he had told her about the missions he'd been on. He's received an Art 15. He can now not be left alone at any time while he's deployed. He can only call home with his team leader sitting beside him. For the rest of the deployment, she will only receive emails and phone calls from the FRG that pertain to her or her husband or calls to check on her. She will also not be told when her husband is scheduled to come home. She'll receive a phone call from him when he's ready to be picked up.
People think nothing will happen to them. Around here, they know better now.

Damn!

Please tell me that both the husband and wife were warned well before it got to this extreme response?  As in a heads up, folks, you're being dumb, and this is why, here's your first warning...

[iluvmytxrgr]

Apr 1, 2013 6:34:24 GMT -5 audette said:

Mar 31, 2013 16:20:18 GMT -5 iluvmytxrgr said:

There are huge consequences in H's circle. One couple just learned the hard way. We have pre-deployment briefs that are mandatory for either the soldier or wife to attend. If it is a couple who have not been to a deployment, both are highly encouraged to come together. OPSEC and PERSEC are an entire section of the brief. One guy was stupid enough to give his wife info she shouldn't have. He was also stupid enough to take pictures and email them to her. She would post the pics on FB. She would also post info he had told her about the missions he'd been on. He's received an Art 15. He can now not be left alone at any time while he's deployed. He can only call home with his team leader sitting beside him. For the rest of the deployment, she will only receive emails and phone calls from the FRG that pertain to her or her husband or calls to check on her. She will also not be told when her husband is scheduled to come home. She'll receive a phone call from him when he's ready to be picked up.
People think nothing will happen to them. Around here, they know better now.

Damn!

Please tell me that both the husband and wife were warned well before it got to this extreme response?  As in a heads up, folks, you're being dumb, and this is why, here's your first warning...

There were warnings to them several times.  We also discuss these consequences in detail at all of our pre-deployment meetings.  Every spouse is sent a copy of the slide show that is shown during the meetings if they were at the meeting or not.  These consequences are well known.  Some people just think they are above the rules or think the rules are stupid.  In my husband's unit, you get one warning.  The second offence is a negative counseling statement for the soldier.  Next offense is the step that was taken here.  She knew it would happen.  She was told often.  

[sookie]

Our current Key Spouses would assure you that THEY can post dates and countdowns and it's not an OPSEC violation.

[brandienee]

Apr 1, 2013 11:58:10 GMT -5 sookie said:

Our current Key Spouses would assure you that THEY can post dates and countdowns and it's not an OPSEC violation.

Why do we even have Key Spouses?

I have this and other issues with them...

[audette]

Apr 1, 2013 10:54:54 GMT -5 iluvmytxrgr said:

Apr 1, 2013 6:34:24 GMT -5 audette said:

Damn!

Please tell me that both the husband and wife were warned well before it got to this extreme response?  As in a heads up, folks, you're being dumb, and this is why, here's your first warning...

There were warnings to them several times.  We also discuss these consequences in detail at all of our pre-deployment meetings.  Every spouse is sent a copy of the slide show that is shown during the meetings if they were at the meeting or not.  These consequences are well known.  Some people just think they are above the rules or think the rules are stupid.  In my husband's unit, you get one warning.  The second offence is a negative counseling statement for the soldier.  Next offense is the step that was taken here.  She knew it would happen.  She was told often.  

Ah, then it really was just people being too self-important and dumb, not just clueless people.

DH has been on two deployments.  Both had mandatory FRG meetings, but neither had much on OPSEC, and neither had _anything_ on PERSEC...  For folks in those units, I could see them doing things just due to simply not knowing or thinking about it.

[sookie]

Apr 1, 2013 13:29:51 GMT -5 brandienee said:

Apr 1, 2013 11:58:10 GMT -5 sookie said:

Our current Key Spouses would assure you that THEY can post dates and countdowns and it's not an OPSEC violation.

Why do we even have Key Spouses?

I have this and other issues with them...

I was one at one point because the squadron was less than helpful and all of the Key Spouses prior to then had either quit or PCSed. I tried to be helpful by creating checklists for all of the spouses who apparently didn't realize that yes, you do have to pay your bills during the deployment even if your H normally does that for you, and no, it isn't appropriate to show up to homecoming in a bikini top and toddler sized shorts with "lets make a baby" written on your stomach. However after 1 year I had to quit. Not only was I insanely busy with other stuff, but that really did give a reason for the saying "b*tches be crazy."

[sookie]

Apr 1, 2013 15:14:57 GMT -5 audette said:

Apr 1, 2013 10:54:54 GMT -5 iluvmytxrgr said:

There were warnings to them several times.  We also discuss these consequences in detail at all of our pre-deployment meetings.  Every spouse is sent a copy of the slide show that is shown during the meetings if they were at the meeting or not.  These consequences are well known.  Some people just think they are above the rules or think the rules are stupid.  In my husband's unit, you get one warning.  The second offence is a negative counseling statement for the soldier.  Next offense is the step that was taken here.  She knew it would happen.  She was told often.  

Ah, then it really was just people being too self-important and dumb, not just clueless people.

DH has been on two deployments.  Both had mandatory FRG meetings, but neither had much on OPSEC, and neither had _anything_ on PERSEC...  For folks in those units, I could see them doing things just due to simply not knowing or thinking about it.

At some point though I just feel like it's common sense, you know? I understand that it's not, but I feel like it should be. And I get that people get over excited and stop thinking before speaking, but once you're warned it shouldn't happen again.

[sushi]

Apr 1, 2013 15:20:34 GMT -5 sookie said:

 it isn't appropriate to show up to homecoming in a bikini top and toddler sized shorts with "lets make a baby" written on your stomach

I don't see the problem with this  

Someone mentioned mandatory attendance for spouses if their partner doesn't go. How can they get away with that? Spouses have lives and jobs, too. 

[ggirl]

Yeah, I know for H' s predeployment brief it was mandatory for him to attend but not me.

Also, all I learned from his brief is that I can be an "independent dependent" and one of the options to keep myself busy while H is gone is to get a job, or volunteer.

[audette]

Apr 1, 2013 16:56:25 GMT -5 sushi said:

Apr 1, 2013 15:20:34 GMT -5 sookie said:

 it isn't appropriate to show up to homecoming in a bikini top and toddler sized shorts with "lets make a baby" written on your stomach

I don't see the problem with this  

Someone mentioned mandatory attendance for spouses if their partner doesn't go. How can they get away with that? Spouses have lives and jobs, too. 

Sushi - for the few times we had "mandatory" FRG meetings, it was mandatory for one person to attend - the spouse or the soldier.  If I couldn't make it, DH was obliged to go.  The army can't order me to attend anything, but they can make DH go.

Generally, if it was important enough they were calling it a mandatory meeting, I made an effort to be available to attend, so long as I didn't already have something like a work trip planned at that time.

[audette]

Apr 1, 2013 15:23:03 GMT -5 sookie said:

Apr 1, 2013 15:14:57 GMT -5 audette said:

Ah, then it really was just people being too self-important and dumb, not just clueless people.

DH has been on two deployments.  Both had mandatory FRG meetings, but neither had much on OPSEC, and neither had _anything_ on PERSEC...  For folks in those units, I could see them doing things just due to simply not knowing or thinking about it.

At some point though I just feel like it's common sense, you know? I understand that it's not, but I feel like it should be. And I get that people get over excited and stop thinking before speaking, but once you're warned it shouldn't happen again.

Every time I try to use common sense with the military, my head hurts.  Yes, it absolutely makes sense to not broadcast specifics of what the folks downrange are doing.  It also makes sense to not broadcast that you are home alone for a long period of time, and yet we still see those damn "1/2 my heart is in xyz place" magnets everywhere, so obviously common sense is failing...

[iluvmytxrgr]

Apr 1, 2013 16:56:25 GMT -5 sushi said:

Apr 1, 2013 15:20:34 GMT -5 sookie said:

 it isn't appropriate to show up to homecoming in a bikini top and toddler sized shorts with "lets make a baby" written on your stomach

I don't see the problem with this  

Someone mentioned mandatory attendance for spouses if their partner doesn't go. How can they get away with that? Spouses have lives and jobs, too. 

We run an expo type event.  It goes from 9am-8pm.  During that time, there are three different presentations for new spouses or spouses who have not been through a deployment with this unit.  The soldier must attend.  However, we all know men aren't great about going back to their wives and telling their wives what was discussed.  Guys who are new to the unit or newly married are **HIGHLY** encouraged to bring their wives.  If the wife can't make it to one of the presentations, they can speak to someone during the expo and get the information they need.  We also send an email to every wife that includes the power point presentation.  During the expo, we have tables set up for each company where we have key callers and FRG leaders to answer questions.  We also have tables set up with representatives from housing, the Red Cross, child care, MWR, Tricare, the passport office, the Chaplain's office, finance, the education office, post financial advisers, Military One Source and more.  

[sushi]

I see. I was thinking that it was mandatory for the solider, but if that person doesn't make it, the spouse has to cover. Glad to hear it's the other way around. This is all foreign to me since the AF generally has individual deployments rather than as a unit.

[sushi]

Apr 1, 2013 16:59:45 GMT -5 ggirl said:

Also, all I learned from his brief is that I can be an "independent dependent" and one of the options to keep myself busy while H is gone is to get a job, or volunteer.

How groundbreaking.

[ggirl]

Apr 1, 2013 17:31:00 GMT -5 sushi said:

Apr 1, 2013 16:59:45 GMT -5 ggirl said:

Also, all I learned from his brief is that I can be an "independent dependent" and one of the options to keep myself busy while H is gone is to get a job, or volunteer.

How groundbreaking.

Yeah, considering I had to leave work early to get to the brief, I about fell off my chair with laughter. 

[audette]

Apr 1, 2013 17:58:57 GMT -5 ggirl said:

Apr 1, 2013 17:31:00 GMT -5 sushi said:

How groundbreaking.

Yeah, considering I had to leave work early to get to the brief, I about fell off my chair with laughter. 

You should have seen how tongue-tied the poor commander got during our pre-deployment brief when I asked about notifying them wen I travel in case they had to reach me.  His first question "as in, going home?", was met with my explanation of "no, I travel for work".  And then the guy just stuttered for a while, trying to figure out what to say.

It was pretty obvious that the concept of a spouse travelling for work was utterly beyond comprehension for the poor guy...

[audette]

Apr 1, 2013 17:23:27 GMT -5 iluvmytxrgr said:

Apr 1, 2013 16:56:25 GMT -5 sushi said:

I don't see the problem with this  

Someone mentioned mandatory attendance for spouses if their partner doesn't go. How can they get away with that? Spouses have lives and jobs, too. 

We run an expo type event.  It goes from 9am-8pm.  During that time, there are three different presentations for new spouses or spouses who have not been through a deployment with this unit.  The soldier must attend.  However, we all know men aren't great about going back to their wives and telling their wives what was discussed.  Guys who are new to the unit or newly married are **HIGHLY** encouraged to bring their wives.  If the wife can't make it to one of the presentations, they can speak to someone during the expo and get the information they need.  We also send an email to every wife that includes the power point presentation.  During the expo, we have tables set up for each company where we have key callers and FRG leaders to answer questions.  We also have tables set up with representatives from housing, the Red Cross, child care, MWR, Tricare, the passport office, the Chaplain's office, finance, the education office, post financial advisers, Military One Source and more.  

And, for the win! Holy crap is that awesome! It's the ideal pre-deployment brief, and this is the first time I have _heard_ of one being run in such an accessible way with so much information.

Wow.  I'm guessing my response here might sound like sarcasm, but it's not intended that way.  I really am impressed.