OpSec

Today's Quote:

There is in every true woman’s heart a spark of heavenly fire,
which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.
   ~Washington Irving, The Sketch Book, 1820

---

Lesson Learned: OpSec

---

Ok, so I'm a blogger. And I certainly don't want to get the DH in trouble. So, as such, I figured I should learn about OpSec before I get too far into this thing. Yes, I want, demand and enjoy my All American Freedom of Speech. Yes, I want to speak up, speak out, and, in some cases, just let it all hang out. On the other hand, even more important than not getting my DH in hot water, I want to make sure he and his fellows are not put in any danger because of me. Thus, my self imposed OpSec training. I'm sure the ARNG will eventually train me on this, but in the mean time, I have found that mostly it's all common sense... or, hopefully common sense

The "Don't Post" list

• when your soldier is leaving or coming home, either for deployment, training or drill
  
• any identifying things about your unit (which is a bummer, because we are all Proud of our units, but we'd rather be Safe than Proud)
  
• so your soldier isn't supposed to tell You (the spouse) anything that isn't already OpSec cleared - but you know it could inadvertently happen - so be careful of posting anything that your soldier might tell you
  
• this seems obvious - don't post about any one's death until the CAO (Casualty Assistance Officer) has contacted the NOK (Next of Kin)
  
• anything that might clue in the enemy on the strengths or weaknesses of a force or piece of equipment
  

I'm thinking I'll probably be OK, here. I am imagining that my blog will mostly be about the day to day struggles of a new ARNG wife trying to get her act together. Hopefully the enemy will find this blog too boring to read and that other military wives might get a little laugh as they read about my little adventures.

Some ideas to consider when creating your blog

• create a separate email just for your blog - strangers may be writing to you, and you don't need them to know your personal email
  
• don't list your real home town, state, etc.
  
• invite your Mom and your other military friends to read it
  
• don't use names - maybe first initials
  
• don't use rank attached to names
  
• blog from a different account or service provider than your other blogs
  

Am I being paranoid, here? I've read quite a few blogs where the names and locations of people are not too difficult to figure out over the course of time. Interested in your opinion.