Operational Security

How to begin?  I suppose an explanation of Operational Security (OPSEC) might be the item to expand upon.

Operational Security is the concept that if we give away locations or other personal information it might, and can, backfire and hurt us or our soldiers.  

OPSEC is the mindset, that we as the spouses, children and family members back home, of a soldier, must adopt in order to make sure that the we and the base is safe.  All information gleaned from articles and instant messages, can be pieced together and used to reveal a lot of classified information.  Even calls to and from overseas locations, must have an OPSEC mentally placed upon them. 

In the OPSEC form, anything that can be overheard is also susceptible to the enemy's ears.  Discussing the next deployment over lunch with a friend, or telling your child who is at soccer pratice what is going on with Dad and his work schedule, can have an enemy smirking over his "find."

That is why, I only list Germany as my location.  I have been careful to not include town names in my articles or images.  Many of the essays and pictures I have posted have followed the OPSEC rules.  I pray that I can continue to do so.  With the right mental picture, I can and will be conscious of my soldier and his comrades.

HOOAH!  

Please understand that I am not trying to be mean in my explanation. I am allowed to say Germany, and deployment. Just not with dates or exact locations.  I only intended this as a way to let people know that I am not in hiding. I am being safe!